SftK?'^^^ 



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PUBLICATION 

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OF THE 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



OF 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 1 — April, 1904 



BOSTON 

Press of H. M. Hight 

76 Summer Street 

1904 



PUBLICATIONS 



SHARON ^^ 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



ef 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. I— April, 1904 



BOSTON 

Press of H. M. Hight 

76 Summer Street 

1904 






INDEX. 

Pagk 

Annals of Sharon -------- 3 

A Surveyor's Song -------- 22 

Origin of the Hisioricai, Socikty ----- 24. 

By-Laws -------- 27 

ChARTKR ----- ----- 29 

Recoro of Mehiings ------- 30 

Gifts to the Society ------- 31 

Historical Scrap Book. ------ 35 

List of Members -------- 34 



ANNALS 

OF 

SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS, 

BY 

JEREMIAH (iOULU, 
1830. 

Mr. Gould was a resident of Sharon, and wrote the Annals in 
the year 1830 for delivery before the Lyceum then organized 
there. He afterwards removed to the West and settled in Roches- 
ter, Indiana. The Annals are now for the first time printed, a 
copy being used for the purpose which was sent in 1861 to friends 
in Sharon by the author's son, Vernon Gould, M. D., of Rochester. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION, &c. 

SHARON, situated in the county of Norfolk, is ten 
miles from Dedham, the county seat, and eighteen 
miles from Boston, the capital of the state. 

It is bounded on the north by Dedham and Canton, 
on the east by Stoughton, on the southeast and south 
by Easton and Mansfield (from which it is divided by 
the "Old Colony Line") and Foxborough, and on the 
west by Walpole. 

The surface is generally rough and hilly, affording 
excellent grass lands. The southwestern portion, more 
level, with a light loamy soil is better suited for tillage. 

The more remarkable hills are Rattle Snake hill on 
the east, and Moose hill on the west — the latter being 
the highest point of land [except the Blue Hills] be- 



4 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIKTV. 

tween the waters of Massachusetts and Narraganset 
bays. 

Directly between these hills lies Massapoag pond, 
a large collection of water covering about [460] acres; 
and south of Moose hill lies Wolomolopoag pond, or 
Billings pond, covering about 30 acres. This pond is 
very deep, having neither inlet or outlet perceivable. 

The principal brooks are Massapoag brook which 
runs out of the northeast end of Massapoag pond and 
thence in a northerly direction about three miles to 
Canton line, watering in its course a rich meadow 
bottom. Hobbs brook rises east of Moose hill and runs 
in a southerly direction about three quarters of a mile, 
then falls into a meadow bottom where it receives a 
number of small rills and turns its course northwardly, 
runnino- throuo'h a rich bottom till it unites with Massa- 
poag brook near Canton line, and forms the principal 
stream of the east branch of Neponset river. Taphole 
brook rises west of Moose hill and runs in a northerly 
direction three or four miles, and falls into the west 
branch of Neponset river, forming the line between 
Dedham and Sharon for a considerable distance in the 
latter part of its course. 

Two or three considerable brooks rise in the 
southerly part of the town, and run south and finally 
find their outlet in Narrao^anset bav. The town is sfen- 
erally well watered and contains much excellent land. 

MINERALS. 

The town abounds in rich iron ore of the kind 
called bog ore, a variety of which known as shot ore is 
collected from Massapoag pond which is very rich, but 
the iron is rather too hard and brittle for many pur- 
poses. 

A hill about three fourths of a mile north of the 
village contains almost an inexhaustible quantity of ore, 



SHARON HISTOKICAI. SOCIETY. 5 

thought to contain silver, but no professed mineralogist 
has to my knowledge ever examined it. 

MAILS AND POST OFFICES. 

A mail is carried over the road which bounds the 
town on the east, every day, which is opened at the 
office situated at the northeast corner of the town 
(Cobb's); and a cross mail is carried once a week 
through the middle of the town and opened at the Cen- 
tre office. The population of the town: in 1810 there 
were 1000 inhabitants; in 1820, loio; and in 1830 there 
were 1024. 

CIVIL HISTORY. 

The town of Dorchester originally included Milton, 
Canton, Stoughton, Sharon, Foxborough and a part of 
Dedham. 

A part of Foxborough was once set off to Wren- 
tham, but was set back again when that town was incor- 
porated in 1778. 

All that part of Dorchester south of Blue Hill, or, 
in the language of the records, "beyond the Blue Hills," 
was incorporated about 1700 — into a town in 1726, or 
precinct about 1 707 — which was called Stoughton, from 
Mr. William Stoughton, one of the Dorchester Com- 
pany, who was the lieutenant governor appointed by the 
crown under the charter of William and Mary. 

The first precinct, or parish, in Stoughton was that 
part of the town now called Canton. What is now 
Stoughton was the third parish. 

Sharon including a part of Foxborough was the 
second parish or precinct, and the first settlement was 
commenced about the time of the incorporation of 
Stoughton precinct, near Wolomolopoag, or Billings 
pond, as it has since been called from the first settlers. 

The first house was built on the spot where Mr. 



6 Sr-iARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Enoch Talbot's house now stands, and was for n^any 
years a noted tavern. 

The Roe Buck tavern was another noted stopping 
place built soon after the Billings tavern on the spot 
where Simon Gould lives, near the Dedham line. 

The old post road from Boston to Providence ran 
by the Roe Buck, over High Plain, west of Moose hill, 
then turning to the left passed by the Billings tavern, 
and thence throuo'h Attleborou^'h. Over this road the 
mail was carried on horseback once a week. There 
were no post ofiftces betw^een these places, and the mail 
carrier was not confined to any particular route. 

It appears not to have been more than twenty or 
thirL\- years fron^ the first settlement before the town 
became generally settled. In 1740 the inhabitants began 
to build a meeting house on "Pole Plain," as it was then 
called, near the site of the present house of the First 
Congregational Parish. 

In June of the same vear a j^etition was presented 
to the Council praying that the westerly part of 
Stoughton might be erected into a separate town or 
precinct, julv 2nd an order was sent down from the 
Council to the House of Representatives, and concurred 
in by them, for erecting a precinct agreeably to the 
prayer of the petitioners, and approved by Gov. Belcher 
the same clay. 

July 18 the first precinct meeting was held for the 
choice of officers. 

August 6. "Voted that the precinct will support 
preaching in the meeting house where it now stands," 
and "That a tax of ^100 be granted to support the same 
and other charges." 

It seems that the location of the meeting house was 
not satisfactory to all, for the subject was agitated in a 
precinct meeting December 17th when it was "Voted to 
confirme the meeting house for the public worship of 
God where it now stands." 



SHARO>f HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



A committee was chosen to petition the Dorchester 
Proprietors for the use of the ministerial meadow for 
the use of the ministry in this parish. 

In consequence of this petition, the Proprietors 
gave the meadow w^hich is now held by the First Parish 
for the use of the minister of the parish. The commit- 
tee was empowered "to commence suit in law upon any 
person or persons who shall trespass on said meadow or 
improve it to any other purpose than the use of the 
ministry in this precinct, and to meet a committee that 
shall be chosen in the First Precinct (if they shall seek 
therefor) and propose terms of agreement and re])ort at 
an adjourned meeting." 

At an adjourned meeting August 2nd the commit- 
tee made a report which was accepted, in substance as 
follows — That the meadow shall be divided between the 
first and second precincts in proportion (exclusive of 
Indian lands) to the quantity of land in each precinct. 
An agent was chosen on the part of the precinct to 
measure the Cjuantity of land in each precinct, and a 
committee to divide the meadow according to the 
report. 

The committee chosen June 28 procured a vote of 
the Proprietors to explain their intention in the donation 
of the meadow, from which it appears to have been the 
intention that it should be for the use of the ministry in 
the second precinct only. 

August Sth 1744, the district "vote that in conse- 
quence of the explanatory vote of the Proprietors con- 
cerning the meadow at Renolds' Misery meadow, the 
former proceedings were illegal and null." "Voted to give 
Rev. Mr. Curtis the production of the meadow." 

The first report of the state of the treasury was 
read March 12, 1744, when it appeared that the treas- 
urer had only received ^105, 6s., and this was almost 
four years after the incorporation of the precinct. 

At the same meeting, "Voted to allow the clerk 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



40s., old tenor, for his services up to the 24th of March 
1744"' — less than a quarter of a dollar a year! 

August 8, 1 744, " Voted to get Rev. Mr. Curtis his 
firewood, and an offer was made to get it for £14, old 
tenor, and accepted." It is not probable he consumed 
less than 20 cords per year, which cost only about 33 
cents per cord delivered. The average cost of wood for 
the last fifteen years has been three and one half dollars, 
showing an advance of almost one thousand per cent 
in the article of wood in about seventy years. 

October 15. The precinct was divided into three 
school districts ; and voted to divide the school money 
according to the proportion of the province tax ; and 
this has been the practice generally since, and is prob- 
ably the most expedient and equitable method that can 
be adopted. 

September 1750, was made the first grant that was 
computed in lawful money, the computation before being 
in old tenor. 

The new style was adopted in September 1752. 

The precinct continued to increase in wealth and 
population, and in 1765 the inhabitants became am- 
bitious of having the precinct erected into a town. 

March 20, " Voted to have an article inserted in the 
next town meeting warrant, to see if the town will set 
off the second parish to be a distinct town." 

The consent of the town having been obtained, a 
committee was chosen May 28, " to solicit the Great and 
General Court of this province to see if said Court will 
set off the second precinct to be a distinct township or 
district, as said Court shall order." 

In June following, an act passed the Council and 
House of Representatives to incorporate the second 
precinct in the town of Stoughton into a district by the 
name of Stoughtonham, which was approved by Gov. 
Bernard June 21, 1765. 

This act provided that the district should be vested 



SHARON HISTORICAr, SOCIETV. 9 

with all the powers and privileges of a town, "excepting 
only the privilege of sending a representative to the 
General Court ;" and that the district might join with 
the town of Stoughton in the choice of representative 
to the Assembly, who might be chosen indifferently 
from the town or district. It further enacted that the 
tow^n of Stoughton shall pay to said district of Stough- 
tonham, yearly and every year, their proportionable part 
of the income of all the money that is appropriated to 
the use of schools in Stoughton, and also the propor- 
tionable part of said Stoughton's part of the incomes of 
two farms that were appropriated by the Dorchester 
Proprietors for the use of schools in Stoughton ; one of 
w^hich is now annexed to the tow^n of Dedham and com- 
monly called White's farm : the other is now annexed to 
to the town of Wrentham and commonly called the 
Hewes farm. The first district meeting was held July 
8, 1765. 

The inquiry has often been made, how the school 
farms given by the Dorchester Proprietors should be 
without the limits of their grants. In Worthington's 
History of Dedham, he says, in 1728, "the town vote 
that if some inhabitants in Stous^hton will unite with 
those in the south part of the town in a petition to be 
made a parish, it will consent thereto." In 1730 the 
second parish is incorporated. This is two years before 
the incorporation of the second precinct in Dedham. 
The White farm was situated a little within the limits of 
the second parish in Dedham, and the words of the 
statute, "is now annexed" See. seem to imply that it was 
formerly a part of Stoughton ; and it appears prob- 
able that this was annexed to Dedham in consequence 
of the petition of some inhabitants of Stoughton and the 
.south part of Dedham "to be made a parish." 

The Hewes farm was hardly within the limits of 
the present town of W>entham. A part of Dorchester 
had been set off to the town of Wrentham before the 



lO SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

town of Stoughton was incorporated, and a portion of 
this territory was set back again when Foxborough was 
incorporated in 177^. 

October 13, 1766. The inhabitants chose an agent 
to treat with the owners of mill dams across the Nepon- 
set river, about making a way for the fish to pass up and 
down. 

For a great many years after the settlement of the 
town, the alewives and shad used to pass up into Massa- 
poag pond in such plenty that, in the season of running, 
a horse driven through the brook would kill numbers of 
them by striking them with his feet. 

When dams were erected across the streams, the 
people complained loudly that their natural rights were 
infringed. The legislature passed several laws for the 
protection of the fishery, and for years great exertions 
were made to procure a free passage for the fish. But 
as the mills increased, the difficulties became so great 
that the people gave up the contest, and for years no 
alewives have been seen. 

March, 1768. An agent was chosen "to join with 
agents from Dorchester and Stoughton in defending the 
title to the school farm near Bridgewater lately sold by 
said towns." This farm was given, I believe, for the use 
of the school in ancient Dorchester; but no part of the 
product of the sale was ever received by Sharon or 
Stoughtonham, nor can I discover the result of the suit 
concerning the title. 

The first record of perambulation of lines between 
towns was May 1768 between Dedham and Stoughton- 
ham; beginning at the Walpole line near the northerly 
branch of Taphole brook, and following said brook to 
Stoughton (now Canton) line. This line included con- 
siderable land which two years later was annexed to 
Dedham. 

September 21, 1768. Sundry votes of the town of 
Boston and a letter from the selectmen of Boston pro- 



SHARON HISTORICAF, SOCIETY. II 

posing a convention to be held in Faneuil Hall Septem- 
ber 2 2 vv^ere read, and a delegate [Job vSvvift] chosen. 

February 23, 1773. After the reading of a circular 
from the Boston Committee of correspondence, the 
following votes were passed, — 

"That under God through our forefathers we have 
enjoyed invaluable liberties and privileges, civil and re- 
ligious; and when we consider the worth of them and 
how dear it cost our forefathers to purchase these for 
themselves and for their posterity, we cannot but esteem 
them highly, nor wonder to see the people alarmed when 
they behold their liberties and privileges threatened and 
invaded. 

"That from what we have heard and seen, we can- 
not but think that some of our liberties and privileges 
have been taken from us, and others threatened, and that 
it is an alarming crisis with us, and we have a loud call 
in Providence to us, to imitate the prudent man who 
'foresees the evil and hides himself.' 

"That since we are bid to look to ourselves, not 
only in spiritual but temporal respects, we look upon it 
our duty, and it shall be our practice to use all constitu- 
tional measures to remove the burdens we feel, and pre- 
vent those we fear respecting our civil and religious 
affairs and concerns. 

"That our thanks are due to the Town of Boston 
for espying of our danger and giving us warning, like 
faithful watchmen. 

"That our Deputy use his utmost interest and influ- 
ence in Court, in a constitutional way and manner, to 
recover what liberties and privileges have been taken 
from us, and secure what remains; and that our clerk in- 
form him of this. 

"That we own King George the 'I'hird to be our 
rightful Lord and Sovereign, and promise allegiance to 
him; but the same time deny the parliamentary power 



12 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

of taxing: us, beincr without the realm of England and 
not represented there. 

"That a copy of these votes be inclosed in a letter 
and sent to the committee of correspondence in Boston 
by our clerk." 

These votes breathe the spirit of the times, and 
show how well the people understood their rights. 

June 30, 1773. A committee was chosen to join a 
committee from Stoughton to petition the General Court 
for leave to sell the ministerial lot on Cow hill. This 
lot called for 75 acres and was granted by the Dor- 
chester Proprietors February 1 1, 1746 for the use of the 
Congregational ministers (beyond the Blue Hill) in equal 
proportions. 

March i, 1774. An act passed giving leave for the 
sale of the lot, but owing to the troubles of the times, it 
was not sold till January 29, 1776, when it was sold for 
38 shillings per acre ; and upon the measurement it 
proved to contain 104 acres, and the proceeds amounting 
to ^194, I2S. were lodged with the treasurer of 
Stoughton. 

Nothing more is heard of this fund till September 
12, 1793, when a committee chosen for the purpose re- 
ported that the treasurer of Stoughton had received the 
principal and interest of this fund and paid it out with- 
out order, and it could not be ascertained to whom. 

March 3rd of the year [1794] the town voted to 
bring an action against the town of Stoughton for this 
fund, if the ministers for whom it was given would pay 
half of the expense. 

1773. A number of inhabitants of the southwest 
part of the district petition to be set off as a separate 
town or district. 

March, 1774. A committee chosen to join a com- 
mittee of Stoughton to enquire of the treasurer or com- 
mittee of Dorchester after our part of the incomes of the 
school farms, reported that they examined the matter. 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



13 



and find said incomes and rents had been expended in 
carrying on a law suit with the Hewes, and that there 
was due to this district and Stoughton about ^3. 

August 29, 1774. The district vote unanimously 
not to comply with the late acts of Parliament. Voted 
to send a delegate to the convention for Suffolk at Ded- 
ham, to deliberate and determine upon all such matters 
as the distressed circumstances of this Province may re- 
quire. Also voted to allow the district's proportion of 
the charge of the Congress at Philadelphia. 

September 19. Agreeably to the recommendations 
of the convention, the district appointed a committee of 
correspondence, with power to appoint one or more per- 
sons to meet with persons appointed by other towns, or 
the Province convention, if they deem necessary or 
needful. 

January 2, 1775. Chose Mr. [Job] Swift delegate 
to meet with the Provincial Congress at Cambridge. 

Voted strictly to adhere to the Resolves of the 
American Congress. 

Chose a committee of safety to see that the inhab- 
itants adhered strictly to the resolves of the American 
Congress ; that the money be collected and paid when 
it shall be most for the public good, to suppress discords, 
outrages, disturbances, &c. 

Voted to indemnify the assessors for not making 
returns to H. Grey, Esq., the province treasurer, and the 
collector for not paying the money, except they have 
orders from the Provincial Congress or House of Rep- 
resentatives. 

February 3. Voted to enlist about one quarter of 
the muster list for minute men till the first day of 
December. The minute men to exercise two half- 
days in a week, and receive one shilling each per half- 
day. Thirty minute men were enlisted which would 
give 120 as the number of militia in the district. 

March 13. Voted to give the minute men ten shil- 



14 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

lings each towards equipping themselves with bayonets 
and boxes. 

In March chose a committee to divide the school 
bonds with the town of Stoughton. 

Voted that the province tax be paid to Henry Gard- 
ner of Stow. 

The last district meeting was held December 4, 
1775, and in the winter of 1776 the district was erected 
into a town. 

March 11, 1776. Voted that the selectmen shall pe- 
tition to have the name of the town altered to Washing- 
ton, in honor of George Washington. This petition was 
not granted. 

Ma)' 30. Voted that if the Honorable Congress 
shall for the safety of the colonies declare them indepen- 
dent of the Kincrdom of Great Britain, the inhabitants of 
this town will pledge their lives and fortunes to support 
them in that measure. And voted to choose a commit- 
tee to give instructions to the representative respecting 
the above vote. 

1777. Twenty five soldiers were hired for the U. 
S. service with a bounty of ^"17, for three years or dur- 
ino- the war. The bountv was afterwards increased to 
£ij, 6s. 8d. annually. 

February, 177S. The representative was instructed 
to vote for the confederation of the states under the old 
constitution. 

March, i77<S. The town voted to set off the inhab- 
itants of the southwest part of the town, provided they 
pay their proportional part of the town charges until 
they be incorporated by the General Court. In June 
following the town of Foxborough was incorporated. 

May 18. The committee to divide the school 
bonds report in substance as follows, which was accepted, 
to wit. that the town of Stoughton should retain ^305, 
19s. lod. for their part of the fund, and that Stoughton- 
ham should receive ^148, 2s. 6d. for their part of the 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. I 5 

fund. The town of Stoughton to be discharged from all 
claims for money &c. arising from the sale of the school 
lot near Braintree and the Hewes farm in Wrentham. 

Voted that this sum, equal to $460.41, shall be kept 
as a fund, and the interest only expended for the use of 
schools in Stoughtonham. The town still held its part 
of the White farm in Dedham undivided. 

At the same meeting voted unanimously (77 persons 
present) to disapprove of the constitution and form of 
government of Massachusetts Bay. 

In 1779 a new levy of soldiers was required, but 
owing to the depression of the currency and other dis- 
tresses, it was very difificult to enlist the quota of men. 

At meeting August 4, the town offered a bounty of 
$15.00 per man for nine months, the town also becoming 
chargeable with the maintenance of their families while 
they were in the service; and committees were chosen 
from time to time to buy and distribute grain and other 
provisions for the soldiers' families. 

Lieutenant Royal Kollock was chosen a delegate 
from this town to the convention, to be held at Cam- 
bridge, September i, to form a new state constitution. 

Attempts were made at this time to fix the prices 
of merchandise and country produce, in order to pre- 
vent the evil effects of the depreciation of the currency. 
A convention was held in Concord in October to effect 
these objects, but this town voted not to send a dele- 
gate. 

March 27, 1780. The committee chosen in Novem- 
ber to settle the affairs with Foxborough report an 
agreement of a division line, and that the interests of 
the towns be separate from September i, 1778. That 
Foxborough pay one seventh of the town expense to 
that time, and receive one seventh of the ammunition 
and school money. 

May 27. A committee previously chosen to con- 
sult on the constitution and declaration of rights re- 



l6 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

ported that they had carefully consulted both. That in 
the declaration of rights they found nothing material 
against which to object. That the form of government 
was well formed; but in the details they objected to 
several sections, and in particular that it did not provide 
for the holding of probate courts and establishing a reg- 
istry of deeds in each town. This has been a favorite 
theme of complaint with the inhabitants of this town, 
from its first incor]3oration to nearl)^ the present time. 

October, 1780. The currency had so much depre- 
ciated that it was found necessary to grant a tax of 
^'100,000 to defray the town expenses. 

In December, 1781, it was voted to take one hard 
dollar for taxes in lieu of $150 of paper. 

I will digress here to pay a just tribute to the mem- 
ory of Mr. Benjamin Gannett, a wealthy farmer, whose lib- 
erality and 7X'al in the cause of liberty was unparalleled 
in this town. Whenever an order was received for beef 
or clothing for the army, Mr. Gannett was always fore- 
most in procuring it. Many times he bought cattle, 
killed them, and furnished the quantity of beef required; 
and \\hen the money was raised and paid him, it would 
hardly reimburse the tenth part of the cost. He usually 
raised an abundance of grain, but so liberal was he of it, 
that scarcely a year passed during the war but he would 
be oblio-ed to buy for his own family before the end of 
the season. 

1783. The name of the town was changed to 
Sharon. 

June, 1784. Chose a committee to view the school 
farm, and see whether it is best to sell it. This com- 
mittee reported that it would not be for the interest of 
the town to sell. 

1787. A new meeting house was erected. In 1790 
a committee was chosen to sell the school farm in 
Dedham. 

In the summer of 1790 the Dorchester Proprietors 



SHARON HISTORICAF- SOCIKTY. 1/ 

held a meeting and had a settlement of all their con- 
cerns. This was the last meeting the Proprietors have 
ever held. Those who lived in Sharon gave their share 
of the dividend for the purpose of buying a bell. De- 
cember 13. The town vote to accept the generous 
donation of the Dorchester Proprietors. 

1799. The town settled the Rev. Mr. Whitaker in 
the ministry as successor to Rev. Mr. Curtis. 

From this period the public acts are mostly identi- 
fied with the great political parties of the times, and I 
shall close this article with a few brief notices. 

1809. ^ number of soldiers having been detached 
for the U. S. service, the town vote to make up their 
pay, $12 per month, if called into active service. 

18 1 2. A similar vote was passed. In 1814 the 
town vote $8 per month to those soldiers who were 
drafted, in addition to their regular pay. 

1820. The question of the expediency of sending 
delegates to the convention for amending the constitu- 
tion was carried in the afifirmative with great unanimity, 
and the amendment caused little division in the minds of 
the inhabitants. 

1822. The parish obtained an order from the Leg- 
islature for choosing officers, and since then the town 
and parish have been distinct organizations. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

The people of this town had no sooner become suf- 
ficiently numerous to form a parish, than they erected a 
house and began to cast about for a minister. Prov- 
idence sent them the Rev. Philip Curtis of Roxbury, 
who was settled in December 1741. 

Mr. Curtis was a graduate of Harvard University, 
a man of respectable abilities, but of severe temper. If 
w^e may judge from his manuscript sermons, he was an 
Arminian in principle — more in favor of practical re- 
ligion than speculative doctrines. 



l8 SHARON HISTORICAI. SOCIETY. 

In the course of a very long ministry, he was in- 
variably respected by his parishioners; and when in 
1797 be became so feeble and infirm that he could not 
supply the pulpit, they voted him his full salary for the 
year, in the course of which he resigned the ministry, 
having been the faithful pastor of his people for near 
fifty-six years. 

December, 1798. The Rev. Jonathan Whitaker 
was invited to settle and accepted the invitation and 
was ordained February 1 7, 1 799. He also was a grad- 
uate of Harvard University. His talents were of a high 
order, and his literary acquirements were very consid- 
erable, to say the least. In his principles he was liberal, 
harmonizing with those who have since been styled 
Unitarians. 

Mr. Whitaker was a high minded man, though of 
an irritable disposition, but possessing withal many am- 
iable traits of character. He was for a number of years 
after his settlement extremely popular with the people, 
not only of this, but of the neighboring towns. But hav- 
ing some difficulty with individuals, chiefly on account 
of political opinions, and being constitutionally impru- 
dent and free in his remarks, a considerable opposition 
was at length raised against him. 

In October, 181 5, the town chose a committee to 
treat with Mr. Whitaker and see upon what considera- 
tion he would resign the ministry. Mr. Whitaker 
refused to treat with them till ofiiicially informed that a 
majority of the people had a disrespect for him. Where- 
upon the town immediately voted to discontinue him in 
the ministry. This measure, however, was premature 
and ineffectual. 

Mr. Whitaker afterwards proposed calling a council 
to settle the difficulties. This the town refused to con- 
cur in; and in November, by the advice of his church, 
Mr. Whitaker invited an ex parte council. 

In December, however, the town united in calling 



SHARON HISTORICAL S0CIP:TY. I9 

a mutual council. This council proceeded to examine 
the charges, and finally gave their opinion that nothing- 
was proved to injure the Christian or ministerial charac- 
ter of Mr, Whitaker, but considering the wide breach 
between him and his people, they advised that he should 
ask a dismission, which he did; and February 21, 1816, 
he was accordingly dismissed from his pastoral office. 

Some years previous to this, however, a cHvision 
was made by the erection of the Baptist Society. 

In November, 1817, the Rev. Thomas Rich was in- 
vited to become the pastor of the Congregational 
Society, who being taken sick did not accept the invita- 
tion. 

From this time until 182 i the difficulties seemed to 
increase, when the Calvinistic part of the society seceded 
and formed a separate society, and invited the Rev. Mr. 
Felt to become their pastor. The original society called 
to the ministry the Rev. Samuel Brimblecom. Both of 
these gentlemen were ordained in December. 

The Rev. Mr. Felt resigned his ministry about two 
years after his ordination, and was succeeded by the 
Rev. Jonathan Curtis who was ordained in 1825 and still 
{1830) continues. 

Rev. Mr. Brimblecom was dismissed from the minis- 
try in the first parish November 14, 1825, since which 
■time the parish has been without a regular pastor to this 
time (1830.) 

The Baptist Society, soon after its formation, .set- 
tled the Rev. Mr. Waitt, who stopped but a short time. 
The church has since (to 1830) been without an ordained 
preacher. 

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOT, POUNDS. 

The town is at present divided into five school dis- 
tricts, in each of which a school is kept from six to nine 
months in each year. 

The funds arising from the sale of lands amount to 



20 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

$850. Ill 1826 a number of persons, who were originally 
inhabitants of Sharon and now residing in Boston and 
vicinity, made a donation to the town of $1860 which is 
called the "Sharon Friend School Fund," and committed 
to the care of trustees annually chosen by the town. 

The present annual appropriation of the town for 
the support of schools is S530, which together with the 
interest of the funds make nearly $700 per year for 
schools. 

MILLS AND MANUFACTURES. 

In September, 18 10, the town voted to give leave 
to Mr. Joseph Hewins to build a dam in the road near 
Mr. Samuel Hewins' house, and the year following was 
built the first cotton factory in Sharon. 

Two or three years after, a factory was built under 
the superintendence of Mr. Seth Boyden Jr. for the 
making of files, which was kept in operation for a few 
years, but was discontinued; and the building has been 
successively improved for the manufacture of nails, wool- 
lens and cotton, which last is now carried on to advan- 
tage. 

In the south part of the town is a small manufac- 
tory for nails and pelisse wadding; and another nail and 
carding manufactory on the Massapoag stream, with two 
grist mills, constitutes the present mill interest of the 
town. 

Formerly the manufacture of straw bonnets em- 
ployed many of the females in town, and the business is 
still a prominent feature in the business of the time. 

The manufacture of palm leaf hats has engaged the 
attention of a considerable number of hands the past 
three years. 

Shoes are also made to a considerable extent, and 
this branch of business is rapidly increasing. 

The raising of mulberry and rearing of silk worms 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 21 

are receiving considerable attention, and will probably 
become a profitable business. 

For many years much bitterness has been manifested 
in political and religious controversies in the community, 
which, however, are now happily wearing away. 

The people have always been liberal in the support 
of schools, and are generally well informed. Societies 
and associations have been formed to diffuse knowledge 
and cherish social virtues, which in their little circles 
have been productive of much good. 

The End. 



A SURVB^YOR'S SONG. 

We have given this title to the following lines which are 
found on an ancient plan ordered to be made by the Dorchester 
Proprietors in 1713 and completed in 1730. The plan is deposited 
in the Registry of Deeds in Dedham and covers the southerly half 
of Sharon with other land to the east and west. James Blake 
Jr. was the head surveyor, and possibly was the author of the 
verses. They express the honest endeavor of the Surveyor's party 
to do their "duly still," and their desire to meet the approval of 
"after times.'' In one line, where a word is illegible, the word 
"course" has been conjecturally inserted. 
Upon our Needle we depend, 

In ye thick woods our course to knov/. 
Then after it ye Chain Extend, 

For we must gain our Distance so. 

Over ye Hills, through brushey Plains, 
And hidious swamps where is no track. 

Cross Rivers, Brooks, we with much Pains 
Are forc'd to travil forth cSc back. 

Briars & Thorns our Flesh Doth Tear, 
And Stubborn Brush our Garments rend, 

Our Instruments need much Repair, 
Labour and Toil our Spirits Spend. 

Sometimes with heat we are oppresed, 

Then Flys and Serpents they annoy us; 
Sometimes for cold we have no rest. 

And Sudden heats & colds destroy us. 
Our fare is mean, our Sutferint^ great. 

Amidst all which our [course] must keep, 
And work come Right, our lines run strait, 

Al! Pllotted be before we sleep. 



SHAKON mSTOKICAL SOCIIiTY. 23 

When weary Steps has brought us home 
And Needle, Chain have some respite, 

Scale and Dividers in use come 
To fit all for next morning light. 

And though we're carefull in ye same 

As hast & obsticles will yield, 
Yet after times they will us blame 

When Rough wild woods are made a Field. 

'F'hree of ye Gentlemen Improv'd 

Did not survive ye work in hand; 
One quickly after was removed, 

Through Mercy all ye Rest yet stand. 

May we our Generation serue 

According to God's Holy will; 
And from his Precepts never svverue, 

Labour to do our Duty still: 

And all be ready for our Death; 

That whensoe're our Change shall be, 
We may with Joy resign our Breath, 

And from our Labours Rest may we. 
May 8th, 1730. 



ORIGIN OF THE SHARON HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY. 

The Sharon Historical Society had its origin in the 
fact that in the year 1886, Mr. WiUiam Richards, who 
lived in that part of the town called Pigeon Swamp, 
informed the Selectmen that in his family were many 
relics of ancient origin which he was desirous that the 
town should have, care for and save for the pleasure and 
profit of his townsmen for all time. 

In response to his liberality the Board inserted in 
the warrant for the annual meeting of that year the 
following article: 

"To see what action the town will take in relation 
to the acceptance and preservation by the town of 
certain historic relics belonging to the Moses Richards 
family and others now offered as a s^ift to the town." 

Under this article the following vote was passed 
March i, A. D. 1886. 

"Voted. That the Selectmen are hereby instructed 
and directed to receive such articles of historic interest 
as may be offered as a gift to the town, by the Moses 
Richards family, and also such other gifts of a like nature 
offered by others, and to make such provisions for their 
preservation as they in their judgment deem suitable 
and proper." 

At the annual town meeting of the year 1887, an 
ancient account book dating from 1762 to 1770, both 
years inclusive, formerly belonging to Benjamin Hewins 
who for many years served the town as Clerk, was pre- 
sented to the town by Mrs. Olive Eleanor (Johnson) 
Choate of Beverly. The presentation was made by Mr. 
Solomon Talbot in behalf of Mrs. Choate. The town 



SHARON' HISTORICAL SOCIKTY. 25 

voted to accept the same, and a vote of thanks was ex- 
tended to the donor. 

In this connection it may be well to state that Mr. 
Herbert L. Hevvins has donated another book written 
by his grandfather, Mr. Benjamin Hewins, above men- 
tioned, of accounts kept by him as store keeper in 
Sharon; also that many other persons followed the 
example thus set, until the town ofificers felt that some 
permanent place should be found for their exhibition 
and preservation. 

At the annual town meeting held March 5, 1888, it 
was voted — "That a committee of three be appointed 
by the Moderator to procure the relics and antiquarian 
articles donated to the town by the Moses Richards family, 
and that the same be labelled, numbered and recorded in 
a book, with the history of each article as far as can be 
ascertained, and the same be deposited in some suitable 
place in the Town House. Solomon Talbot, Jonathan R. 
Packard and the town clerk Joel P. Hewins were chosen 
as the committee. 

Afterwards, at a special town meeting held Novem- 
ber 9, 1895, it was 

"Voted. To add to the committee the following 
persons: the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, 
the Town Clerk, Mrs. Emma M. Bowman, and Mrs. 
Eliza J. Kempton." 

This committee soon organized with Town Clerk 
George H. Whittemore as chairman, Mary Ella Hixson, 
secretary; and Eliza J. Kempton, custodian. Mr. Jona- 
than R. Packard donated cases for the reception of the 
articles. Since the committee was thus re-organized, 
many other valuable gifts have been added to the collec- 
tion, which is kept in a room on the first fioor of the 
town hall. 

Among the plans of the Sharon Antiquarian Com- 
mittee, the matter of an Historical Society has from 



26 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

time to time been discussed and also the matter of a 
written town history. 

In 1903, Mr. Eugene Tappan was chosen by the 
town a member of the committee. At the annual meet- 
ing of the committee held April 15, 1903, Eugene 
Tappan and Loring M, Monk were chosen to formulate 
plans for the incorporation of an Historical Society. 
They reported their doings at a subsequent meeting, and 
their report was accepted and adopted by the Sharon 
Antiquarian Committee; and through the efforts of the 
Antiquarian Committee the Sharon Historical Society- 
was incorporated. 

AGREEMENT OF ASSOCIATION. 

We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do, by this 
Agreement, associate ourselves with the intention to 
constitute a corporation according to the provisions of 
the one hundred and twenty-fifth Chapter of the Re- 
vised Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and 
the Acts in amendment thereof and addition thereto. 
The name by which the Corporation shall be known is 
the Sharon Historical Society. 

The Corporation is constituted for the purpose of 
prosecuting antiquarian and historical matters. The 
place within which the Corporation is established or 
located is the Town of Sharon within said Common- 
wealth. 

The Corporation has no Capital Stock. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands 
this fifteenth day of June in the year nineteen hundred 
and three. 

Solomon Talbot, William R. Mann, Alice M. Drake, 
Eugene Tappan, George H. Whittemore, and ninety- 
eight others. 

At a meeting duly called of the subscribers to the 
agreement, held in the lower town hall, August 27, 1903, 



SHAKON HI.~.TORICAL SOCIETY. 2/ 

the corporation was organized by the adoption of by- 
laws and election of officers. 



BY-LAWS 

OF THE 

SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

1. The Corporate name shall be the Sharon Historical 
Society. 

2. The corporation is for historical and antiquarian purposes. 

3. The officers shall be a president, three vice presidents, a 
recording secretary, a corresponding secretary, a treasurer, a 
custodian, and a board of nine directors, consisting of the presi- 
dent, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, 
custodian, and four other members, 

4. The first board of officers elected at the organization of 
the society shall serve until the annual meeting in April, 1904, or 
until their successors are elected. After said organization, the 
officers shall be elected by ballot at the April meeting of the 
society, and shall serve for one year or until their successors are 
chosen. All officers shall perform their duties under the direction 
of the directors. 

5. Vacancies in office during the year may be filled by the 
directors. 

6. The president, or, in his absence, one of the vice presi- 
dents shall preside at meetings of the society. The president shall 
preside at meetings of the directors, 

7. The treasurer shall have charge of the funds o; the soci- 
ety, collect fees and dues, and pay bills approved by the directors. 
He shall furnish a bond with surety or sureties satisfactory to the 
directors: and any premium for surety shall be paid by the 
society. 

8. The recording secretary shall keep the records of meetings 
of the society and meetings of the directors, and give notices of 
meetings of the society. 



28 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

9. The corresponding secretary shall attend to the corre- 
spondence of the society. 

10. The custodian shall have charge of the property, other 
than funds, of the society. 

11. The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in 
the by-laws, shall have full power and authority to do all acts and 
transact all business concerning the society, as they may deem 
best. 

12. The society shall hold meetings on the last Thursday of 
January, April, July and October in each year. Notice of each 
meeting shall be given to the members by the recording secretary 
five days, at least, before the date of the meeting. Where several 
members are in one household, one notice shall be sufficient for 
the household. 

13. Meetings of the directors may be called at any time by 
the president, or by two directors, on at least two days' notice to 
each director. 

14. A quorum of the society shall consist of nine members. 
A quorum of the board of directors shall consist of five members. 

15. Any person of lawful age may become a member of the 
society upon being proposed by the board of directors and accepted 
at a meeting of the society. 

16. A membership fee of one dollar shall be required of each 
member upon joining the society. 

17. Each member shall pay an annual due of fifty cents at 
the April meeting of the society. 

18. Failure to pay a due for six months, may, at the option 
of the society, be treated as resignation of the member. 

19. Reports shall be presented by the officers at the April 
meeting of the society. 

20. The by-laws, or any of them, may be amended or re- 
pealed by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at 
a regular meeting of the society, provided notice of the proposed 
action is inserted in the notices of the meeting. 

[A proposal is pending to amend the by-laws by adding an 



SHAKON HKSTORICAL SOCIETY. 29 

auditor to the list of officers, and by providing that the summer 
quarterly meeting shall be held on the Thursday in Old Home 

Week.] 

FIRST BOARD O?^ OFFICERS. 

President, John G. Phillips; vice-presidents, Solo- 
mon Talbot, William R. Mann, D. Webster Pettee; 
recording secretary, George H. Whittemore; corre- 
sponding secretary, Eugene Tappan; treasurer, Arthur 
D. Colburn; custodian, Loring M. Monk; additional 
directors, Edmund H. Hewins, Timothy F. Ouinn, Alice 
M. Drake, Emma A. Baker. [Amanda M. Eddy was 
afterwards chosen a director in place of Alice M. Drake, 
deceased.] 

CHARTER. 

No. 10202. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Be it Known, That whereas John G. Phillips, Solomon Talbot, 
William R. Mann, I). W. Pettee, George H. Whittemore, Eugene 
Tappan, Arthur Dwight Colburn, Loring M. Monk, Edmund H, 
Hewins, Timothy F. Quinn, Alice M. Drake, Emma A. Baker and 
others have associated themselves with the intention of forming a 
corporation under the name of The Sharon Historical Society, for 
the purpose of prosecuting antiquarian and historical matters, and 
have complied with the provisions of the statutes of this Common- 
wealth in such case made and provided, as appears from the certifi- 
cate of the President, Treasurer and Directors of said corporation, 
duly approved by the Commissioner of Corporations and recorded 
in this office; 

Now, Therefore, I, William M. Olin, Secretary of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusettts, do hereby certify that said 
John G. Phillips, Solomon Talbot, William R. Mann, D. W. 
Pettee, George H. Whittemore, Eugene Tappan, Arthur Dwight 
Colburn, Loring M. Monk, Edmund H. Hewins, Timothy F. Quinn, 
Alice M, Drake, Emma A. Baker, their associates and successors, 



30 SF^ARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

are legally organized and established as, and are hereby made an 
existing corporation under the name of The Sharon Historical 
Society, with the powers, rights and privileges, and subject to the 
limitations, duties and restrictions, which by law appertain 
thereto. 

Witness my official signature hereunto subscribed, and the 
seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereunto affixed this 
eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand 
nine hundred and three. 

[seal OF THE Wm. M. OlIN, 

COMMONWEALTH.] Secretary of the Commonwealth. 

QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 

Sharon, October 29, 1903. 
The first quarterly meeting of the Society was 
called to order at 8 o'clock p. m. President John G. 
Phillips in the chair, who made an interesting address 
and introduced the following speakers: 

I.^ON Gleason Hill of Dedham. 
"Study and use of Ancient Records." 

Eu(;ene Tappan. 
"Local History an interesting study." 
Thomas E. Grover of Canton. 
"Life in Old Times." 
Charles S. Curtis read a paper relating to an histor- 
ical period of Sharon when church and state were very 
closely connected. 

Visitors were present from Brockton, Dedham, 
Canton and Stoughton. Thanks were voted to speakers 
and guests. After a social hour, all joined in singing, 
"Should Old Acquaintance be forgot." 

Sharon, January 28, 1904. 
After a social half hour the second quarterly meet- 
ing of the Society was called to order at 8.25 o'clock 
p. M. Vice President D. W. Pettee presiding. Record- 
ing Secretary George H. Whittemore being absent, 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 3 1 

Arthur P. Fiske was elected Recording Secretary pro 
tern. The records were read and approved. 

On motion of Eugene Tappan the following resolu- 
tion was adopted by unanimous vote: 

Resolved. That the Sharon Historical Society having lost 
one of its Directors, Mrs. Alice M. Drake, who died December 14, 
1903, hereby expresses its appreciation of a life long citizen of 
Sharon, who was allied to several of its old families, fond of its 
history and much interested in the formation and work of the 
Historical Society. 

Notice of the meeting of the Stoughton Historical 
Society on Monday, February ist, next, and invitation 
to the members of the Sharon Historical Societv to 
attend the meeting, was read. 

Dr. Loring W. Puffer of Brockton gave an address, 
comparing the manner of living and the morality of the 
present generation with the past, and suggesting a 
remedy for some of the present evils. 

Dr. George W. Field gave an interesting lecture on 
"Sharon Geology" illustrated by charts and photographs. 

Eugene Tappan made a few remarks and sug- 
gestions in relation to contribution by members to the 
"Scrap-Book," giving the contribution of President 
Candage of the Brookline Historical Society as an ex- 
ample. 

A letter received from President John G. Phillips 
written at Mentone in France, was listened to with great 
interest. 

Adjourned after singing "Auld Lang Syne." The 
meetings of the Society are at present held in the lower 
hall of the Town House. 

GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY. 

From Alvin R. Alden. Files of Sharo?i Ozone, (newspaper) 
1889 to 1894, inclusive. 

From Rufus G. F. Candage, Brookline. More Gathered 
Autumn Leaves. (A book privately printed.) 



32 SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIKTY 

From Amelia M. Clifton, Stoughton. Ancient Town Docu- 
ments, namely : 

Petition for annexation to Walpole, 1752. 
Request for way to Walpole, 1745-6. 

Teachers' pay to Damaris Bird and Elizabeth Capen, 1745. 
Summons to held drivers, &c., to take oaths, 1729-30. 
Request to insert article in town warrant, 1729. 
Request to remove town meetings, 1746-7. 
Request to lay out road to Morse's mills, 1747-8. 
Petition of Remember Willis to keep tavern, 1751. 
Petition to be set off to Norton, 1753. 
From Florence Deane. My Aunt Deborah. (MS copy.) 
From Col. Edmund Hart Hewins. Annals of the Massachu- 
setts Charitable Mechanic Association. 

From Historical Society of Oid Newbury. Brief Biographical 
Sketches, by Robert x\. 'i'oppan. 

From James P. Mackey, Brookline. 3 pamphlets. 
From Medford l^istorical Society. Medford Plistorical Reg- 
ister (quarterly). 

From Nantucket Historical Association. 2 pamphlets. 
From Mary C. Nye. Marietta. Ohio. The Nye Family of 
America Association. 

From John G. Phillips. Personal letters from Europe. 
From Dr. Loring W. Putfer, Brockton. Package of 18 deeds 
a century old, 2 plans of land, and many receipts, &c. 

From Ezra Otis Swift, Boston. Framed picture of the Job 
Swift homestead on Mountain St. 
From Eugene Tappan. 

Sharon wills and Probate Papers, a manuscript book of 
wills and administrations down to 1793. 

Natick Dictionary, by James Hammond Trumbull (an 
Indian dictionary). 

Norfolk county manual, 1876. 
Souvenir medal of Boston Evacuation, 1901. 
From Robert Tappan. 

A large wall map of Sharon made by him for the Society. 
From Gilbert Thompson, Washington, D. C. 2 pamphlets. 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 33 

From George H. VVhittemore. 

Catalogue of library, John M. Bullard, 184.8. 

Memoranda of farm work and products, John M. Bullard, 
1848. 

Receipt by Niel McKay from Judith Bullard in 1781, of 
one cow in part of his hire as a soldier. 



HISTORICAL SCRAP BOOK. 

The Society is making a collection of historical 
items written or furnished by its members and friends. 
When a sufificient number of items is received, the leaves 
will be bound as a book, and will form a pleasant volume 
for readino^ at the meetino^s, or for consultation in 
private. Each person is desired to write, on the leaves 
furnished, some interesting fact of Sharon history, or a 
description of building, tree, landscape, walk or drive. 
Other subjects might be anecdotes, accounts of old 
documents, books or letters, pictures or plans, mention 
of noted visitors and famous citizens. The following 
articles have already been furnished: 

Massapoag ball club of 1857 .... Alvin R. .-Vldcn 

South Sharon school reminiscence . Elizabeth M. Billingrs 

Sharon, the pioneer town of free text books, S. IngersoU Briant 
Visit to Sharon in 1855 . . . . Rufus G. V. Candage 

Proposal to change the town name to Massapoag, 

George Willis Cooke 
Boston Randall ...... Cadwallader Curry 

Perley B. Davis 

Sarah S. Edwards 

Harriet F. Gray 

William L. Haskel 

Mary E. Hi.xson 



Early acquaintance with Sharon 

Winter of 1903-4 (clipping) 

It's all gone by in Sharon 

The Sharon spring .... 

A Sharon widow of revolutionary times . 

Blue Hill seen from the village center H. Rebecca Johnson 

The Sharon Ozone newspaper . . . George Kempton 

Judge Lynde's visit to his timber lands m Sharon, Eliza J. Kempton 



34 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



Ancient Sharon 

A May day in Sharon 



John C. Kimball 
George F. Leonard 



Rhymes of 187 i about the students in Stoughton- 



Arthur C. Long 

William R. Mann 

. Eliza B. Mills 

Susan G. Moody 

D. Webster Pettee 

John G. Phillips 



ham Institute (copy) .... 
Personal reminiscences of Sharon . 
A Yankee Jeanne D'Arc (old clipping) . 
Deborah Sampson's willow .... 
Old folks' sleigh rides ..... 
Bonfires on Moose hill ..... 
A story of Stoughton in 17 16; also Col. Israel 

Tisdale and family 
Sharon memories ..... 
Job Swift of Sharon .... 
Bags of money in the well . 
Leap year birthday .... 
Live moose in Sharon .... 
Sharon people who joined the Medfield Baptist 

church ..... 

Finding a home in Sharon . 
Missouri Compromise resolves in Sharon (record), 

George H. Whittemore 



Loring W. Puffer 
Edward G. Smith 
. Ezra Otis Swift 
. Solomon Talbot 
Eugene Tappan 
. Muriel Tappan 

William S. Tilden 
. Eliza L. White 



MEMBERSHIP OF THE SHARON HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY. 



Marcellus H. Allen, Dennett Building. 
W. Oscar Arnold, North Main St. 
Emma A. Baker, Billings St. 
Abel T. Barnes, Boyden Place. 
Charles O. Barnes, Summit Av. 
Abbie C. Billings, Billings St. 
Elizabeth M. Billings, Billings St. 
Osmond J. Billings, Billings St. 
Benjamin S. Bellas, Pond St. 
John A. Bowman, Wood St. 
"Winnibel Bowman, Wood St. 
Frederick V. Brittain, Glendale Road. 
Marie Hilda Brittain, Glendale Road. 



Charles F. Bryant, Billings St. 
Frank E. Burbank, South Pleasant St. 
Bertha M. Campbell, Depot St. 
W Winthrop Capen, South Pleasant St. 
A. Alden Carpenter, Depot St. 
M. Imogene Carpenter, Depot St. 
Sanford I. Carpenter, Billings St. 
Erminnie O. Carpenter, Billings St. 
Harriet M. Chapin, Maskwonicut St. 
Calvin G. Coggins, South Main St. 
Arthur Dwight Colburn, Depot St. 
Emma P. Colburn, Depot St. 
Floyd C. Coon, Billings St. 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



35 



Guild A. t'opeland, Pleasant St. 
Cadwallader Curry, Pleasant St. 
Charles S. Curtis, Pond St. 
Clara E. Curtis, Pond St. 
Lillias C. Davenport, Ames St. 
Walter H. Delano, Billings St. 
Gertrude H. Delano, Billings St. 
Miner R. Deming, Revere. 
George A. Dennett, North Main St. 
Elizabeth O. Dennett, North Main St. 
Charles T. Derry, South Main St. 
Almira W. Derry, South Main St. 
Daniel DeVoe, Norwood St. 
Almon J. Dyer, North Main St. 
Lizzie J. L. Dyer, North Main St. 
Amanda M. Eddy, Billings St. 
May L. Felt, Maple Av. 
Adelaide M. Fernald, North Main St. 
Carrie N. Fernald, North Main St. 
George W. Field, Moose Hill St. 
Mary Bell Field, Moose Hill St. 
Arthur P. Fiske, Pleasant St. 
Mary Adela Fiske, Pleasant St. 
W. Perry Fiske, Summit A v. 
George B. Fowler, North Main St. 
Bernice \V. Fowler, North Main St. 
Robie G. Frye, North Main St. 
Edward J. Fuller, Viaduct St. 
Erastus ( ). Fuller, Canton St. 
Helen E. Gannett, East St. 
Louis F. Gates, Highland Av. 
Eunice L. Gay, Depot St. 
N. Newton Glazier, Summit Av. 
Joseph Goddard, V^iaduct St. 
Faith Goddard, Viaduct St. 
Mattie H. Green, Pleasant St. 
Walter A. Griftin, Depot St. 
Charles E. Hall, South Main St. 
William F. Hall, Sylvan Road. 
William L. Haskel, Chestnut St. 
Agnes P. Haskel, Chestnut St. 
G. Ashley Haszard, Station St. 
Edmund D. Hewins, South Main St. 
Ora A. Hewins, South Main St. 



Edmund H. Hewins, South Main St. 

Kate M. Hewins, South Main St. 

Katharine P. Hewins, South Main St. 

Harry M. Hight, Maple Av. 

Margaret D. Hight, Maple A v. 

Edgar M. Hixson, North Main St. 

Mary E. Hixson, North Main St. 

Theodore W. Hixson, North Main St. 

Fred L. Holbrook, Cottage St. 

Mary F. Estey Holbrook, Cottage St. 

Albert D. Holmes, Summit Av. 

Ellen J. Horace, Maiden. 

George Kempton, Pond St. 

Eliza J. Kempton, Pond St. 

John C. Kimball, Chestnut St. 

M. P. Woldeniar Kreutz, Depot St. 

Geo.P. Lawrence, 53 Tremont St., Boston. 

Lizzie N. Leonard, Summit Av. 

Dora M. Leonard, Depot St. 

H. Frank Leonard, Depot .St. 

Mary J. Leonard, Pond St. 

George B. Lockwood, South Main St. 

Frank P. Long, Cottage St. 

Carrie A. Long, Cottage St. 

Albert W. Lyon, South Main St. 

John W. Mackintosh, Walnut St. 

George R. Mann, East St. 

William R. Mann, East St. 

Julia A. Mann, East St. 

John W.McCanna, Deborah .Sampson St. 

John D. McLaughlin, North Main St. 

Edmund F. Merriam, North Main St. 

Loring M. Monk, East St. 

Laura D. Monk, East St. 

Rodney E. Monk, East St. 

Susan G. Moody, East .St. 

Bushrod Morse, Harvard St., Brookline. 

Velina F. Myrick, Pleasant St. 

Herbert F. Nelson, Maple A v. 

Cyrus A. Noyes, Cottage .St. 

Bernard L. Paine, Plighland .St. 

D. Webster Pettee, Pleasant St. 

Myra F. Pettee, Pleasant St. 

John G. Phillips, I'leasant St. 



36 



SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



Mary W. I'hillips, Pleasant St. 
Anna G. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Mary N. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Eugene C. Plimpton, South Walpole St. 
Helen L. Plimpton, South Walpole St. 
Amelia H. Pollard, Pond St. 
S. Frank Poole, North Main St. 
James W. Pringle, Summit A v. 
Timothy F. Quinn, South Main St. 
Elizabeth L. Quinn, South Main St. 
Benjamin Kaynolds, South Main St. 
Ruth A. Raynolds, South Main St. 
Lydia G. Richards, Stoughton. 
Horace S. Shepard, Ames St. 
Anna M. Shepard, Ames St. 
Silas A. Stone, Billings St. 
Ezra Otis Swift, P.O.Box 2587, Boston. 
Solomon Talbot, Maskwonicut St. 



Edmund H. Talbot, 27 State St., Boston. 
Eugene Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Muriel Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Gorham M. Taylor, Chestnut St. 
Willis Thompson, North Main St. 
L. Robert Tidd, Summit Av. 
Otis Tolman, Pond St. 
Elizabeth W. Trafton, North Main St. 
Frank M. Trafton, North Main St. 
Ida A. Tuck, South Main St. 
Alice M. Tuck, South Main St. 
Margaret H. Walton, Moose Hill St. 
Mille Louise West, Summit Av, 
Sidney A. Weston, Bridgeport, Conn. 
Eliza L. White, Chestnut St. 
George H. Whittemore, Chestnut St. 
Elsie A. Whittemore, Chestnut St. 
Total, 149. 



PUBLICATIONS 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 2— April, 190^ 



BOSTON 

Press of H. M. Hight 

76 Summer Street 

1905 



I N DEX. 

Introduction to Reprint, - - . - - - 3 

Reprint of Deborah Sampson Gannett's Address, 13 

Historical Society Gatherings, - - - - 33 

Miscellaneous Notes, - - . - - - - t^j 

Officers of the Society, - - - , - - 40 

Gifts to the Society, ------ 40 

List of Members, - - - - - - - 45 



PUBLICATIONS 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 2 — April, 190^ 



BOSTON 
Press or H. M. Hight 

76 Summer Street 
1905 



9, ^-\ 



.uJ'fiRy or 

Vwo Ooyies 



APR -Al jyUD j 



Copyright, 1905 
By Sharon Histukicai. Socikty 



INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT. 



A reprint is here given of the pamphlet published in 
Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1802, containing an address 
delivered by Mrs. Deborah Sampson Gannett of Sharon, 
Massachusetts. The pamphlet is now rare, and thanks are 
due to the Dedham Historical Society for the loan of its 
copy. The courtesy also is acknowledged of Miss Frances 
M. Mann of Dedham, for the use of the original copper 
plate from which was printed in 1797 the portrait of 
Deborah Sampson in the somewhat fanciful biography 
entitled "The Female Review, or Memoirs of an American 
Young Lady." Miss Mann is the librarian of the Dedham 
Public Library, and the granddaughter of Herman Mann, 
who wrote the Female Review. 

The address was delivered by Mrs. Gannett in 1802, 
in many towns in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New 
York. It treats of her experience as a soldier of the Amer- 
ican Revolution. 

Deborah Sampson was born in Plympton, Massachu- 
setts, December 17, 1760. Plympton is near old Plymouth, 
of which it was formerly a part, and Deborah's ancestors 
were some of the foremost Pilgrim settlers. In a note in 
John A. Vinton's edition of the Female Review (1866), 
pp. 45, etc., the descent of Deborah is traced from Abraham 
Sampson, Miles Standish. John Alden and William Brad- 
ford, as well as from Alice Southworth and Bathsheba 
Le Broche. 

Under the name of Robert Shurtlefif, Deborah Samp- 



4 INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT. 

son enlisted in the Continental army as a soldier, and 
served in Capt. George Webb's Company in the 4th Massa- 
chusetts Regiment commanded by Col. Shepard, after- 
wards by Col. Jackson. She was wounded in an engage- 
ment at Tarrytown, New York, and was honorably 
discharged in the fall of 1783. 

In the following spring she was married to Benjamin 
Gannett, the son of a patriotic citizen of Sharon, Massa- 
chusetts. Here she lived until her death, April 29, 1827, 
and reared a family of three children, Earl Bradford, Mary 
and Patience. Mary Gannett was married to Judson 
Gilbert and Patience Gannett to Seth Gay. 

In recognition of her military service, the Massachu- 
setts Legislature in 1792 granted her thirty-four pounds. 
The resolve recites "that the said Deborah exhibited an 
extraordinary instance of female heroism by discharging 
the duties of a faithful, gallant soldier, and at the same 
time preserving the virtue and chastity of her sex unsus- 
pected and unblemished, and was discharged from the 
service with a fair and honorable character." On the nth 
of March, 1805, she was allowed a pension of four dollars 
per month at the pension ofitice in Washington. The 
pension commenced from January i, 1803, and 
was increased in 1816 to $6.40 per month. From 
1819 she drew a pension of eight dollars per month during 
her life. 

Eleven years after her death. Congress passed a 
special act (Statutes at Large, vol. 6, page 735), directing 
the secretary of the treasury to pay to the heirs of Deborah 
Gannett the sum of $466.66. The committee in reporting 
the bill, remark: "As there cannot be a parallel case in 
all time to come, the committee do not hesitate to grant 
relief." The act reads as follows: — 

Be it enacted, &c., That the Secretary of the Treasury 



Erratum. — The reference in the text to the time of the 
marriage of Deborah Sampson was based on Mr. Vinton's notes 
in the Female Review ; but the original town records of 
Stoughton give April 7, 1785, as the date. 



INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT 5 

be, and he is hereby, directed to pay, out of any money in 
the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the heirs of 
Deborah Gannett, a revolutionary soldier, and late the 
wife of Benjamin Gannett, of Sharon, in the State of 
Massachusetts, now deceased, the sum of four hundred 
and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents, being an equiva- 
lent for a full pension of eighty dollars per annum, from 
the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-one, 
to the decease of Benjamin Gannett in January, eighteen 
hundred and thirty-seven, as granted in certain cases to 
the widows of revolutionary soldiers by the act passed the 
fourth day of July, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, entitled 
"An act granting half pay to widows or orphans where 
their husbands or fathers have died of wounds received in 
the military service of the United States in certain cases, 
and for other purposes." 

Approved July 7, 1838. 

In preparing the foregoing facts concerning Deborah 
Sampson's military service, use has been made of the intro- 
duction to Vinton's Edition of the Female Review already 
referred to. 

Deborah Sampson Gannett first delivered her address 
in the Federal Street Theatre in Boston, in March, 1802. 
Advertisements of the performances are found in the 
"Columbian Centinel," in the issues of March 20, 24 and 27. 
The places and times of some other deliveries of the 
address by her in the same year were : Providence, May 5 ; 
Worcester, July 22; Holden, July 30; Brookfield, August 
9; Springfield, August 13; Northampton, August 18; 
Albany, August 31 and September i ; Schenectady, Sep- 
tember 7 ; and Ballston Springs, September 9. 

On her lecturing tour Mrs. Gannett lodged at the 
following places : — Robert Williams, Liberty Square, Bos- 
ton; Widow Jones, Providence; Capt. John Seamons, 



O INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT. 

Wharf Lane, Newport Ferry: Herman Mann, Dedham ; 
Capt. James Tisdale, Medfield ; Jacob Miller, Worcester; 
Capt. George W^ebb, Holden ; William Howes and Capt. 
Draper, Brookfield ; Eleazer Williams ("son to Dr. Wil- 
liams, formerly of Roxbury"), Springfield; Mr. Pomeroy, 
Northampton ; Alfred Pomeroy and Mr. Whitemore, 
Chesterfield; Mr. Allen, Pittsfield ; Capt. Keeler. Green 
Street, Albany: James Rogers, Schenectady; Mr. Mac- 
Master, Ballston: Capt. Ashleyeo, Troy; Mr. Booth, Hud- 
son; Mr. Streets, Catskill: Mr. Bosticks, Easton; and Gen. 
John Paterson, Lisle. 

The fact of the W'orcester address w^as furnished by 
Hon. Alfred S. Roe of that city, who discovered in the 
"Massachusetts vSpy" of Worcester, in its issue of July 21, 
1802, the advertisement of the proposed address "in the 
Court House, tomorrow, at 5 o'clock P. M." The other 
names and dates above given, later than the Boston 
engagement, appear in a short diary kept by Mrs. Gannett, 
containing entries from May 3, 1802, to January 6, 1803. 
They are given here, partly with the hope that some 
readers may follow up a clew thus afforded, and from 
diaries, newspapers or family traditions may reach results 
of interest to be communicated to the Sharon Historical 
Society. For such communications the thanks of the 
Society will be given. 

The longest entries in Mrs. Gannett's diary relate to 
Providence, and are as follows: — 

"1802, May 3d. I took stage in Dedham. Rode to 
Providence in company with Mr. William Billings and 
lady. This polite gentleman and lady showed every mark 
of genuine friendship. They invited me to take tea with 
them at our arrival. I informed these generous people of 
my wishes in making a public appearance, either in Mr. 
Amidon's hall or in the theatre. Mr. B. informed me that 



INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT 7 

he wished to do everything that lay in his power to assist 
me, and appeared to be much pleased in reading the bill 
of my performance in the theatre at Boston. 

"I conveyed my letters of recommendation to Mr. 
Wheeler, and this gentleman — Mr. Wheeler — came imme- 
diately, and he advised me to perform in Mr. Amidon's 
hall ; and finally I gave him my bill of the performance in 
Boston. He printed my bill, and they were set up in the 
most public places in the town, and Wednesday evening 
was to be the first of my performance. But I was quite 
unfortunate, indeed, for I was taken quite unwell, and of 
course was obliged to postpone my exhibition until Thurs- 
day evening. 

"May 5. When I entered the hall, I must say I was 
much pleased at the appearance of the audience. It ap- 
peared from almost every countenance that they were full 
of unbelief — I mean in regard to my being the person that 
served in the revolutionary army. 

"Some of them which I happened to overhear swore 
that I was a lad of not more than eighteen years of age. I 
sat some time in my chair before I rose to deliver my 
address. When I did, I think I may with much candor 
applaud the people for their serious attention and peculiar 
respect, especially the ladies." 

The animated, flowing style and love of incident dis- 
played in the foregoing extracts make one wish that Mrs. 
Gannett had penned her own address, and not "procured" 
it to be written, as stated in her editor's introduction. 

In the Albany Register for August 31, 1802, was the 
following notice, a copy of which was furnished by Miss 
May Childs Nerney, who is in charge of the history division 
of the State Library in Albany. 



8 INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT 

"MRS. GANNET'S EXHIBITION 
"The ladies and gentlemen of Albany and its vicinity 
are respectfully informed that Mrs. Gannet, the celebrated 
American Heroine, who served nearly three years with 
great reputation in our Revolutionary Army, will, at the 
request of a number of respectable characters, deliver an 
Address to the inhabitants of this city and vicinity, in the 
Court House, this evening at Yz past seven o'clock. 

"Tickets may be had at the Court House from 5 
o'clock till the performance begins. Price 25 cents, children 
half price. 

"Albany, August 31, 1802." 

Under the caption of "My Expense in Albany" are 
the following bills in the diary, which show the curious 
detail work of the lecturer: — 

D. c. 

"To old key keeper 2 00 

To Mr. Barber for printing 3 00 

To Mr. Lester for filling ])lank and finding 

candles i 34 

To Mr. Giles for attendance 2 67 

To sweeping the court house o 48 

For cleaning the candle sticks o 20 

For brushing the seats o 17 

For the dressing my hair, 2 even 1 00 

To boarding 6 00 

To washing i 34" 

Mrs. Gannett visited her captain (George Webb) in 
Holden, near Worcester, where she staid three weeks. 
She also visited her general (John Paterson) in Lisle, 
New York, where she staid a month. Of the latter visit 
she says: — "November 11 [1802] I arrived at Judge Pat- 
erson's at Lisle. This respectable family treated me with 



INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT 9 

every mark of distinction and friendship, and likewise all 
the people did the same. I really want for words to 
express my gratitude. They often met together in the 
neighborhood and had the most social meetings. They 
seemed to unite in hearty congratulations with my old 
friend, Judge Paterson, on our happy meeting." 

As General Paterson, now Judge Paterson, was a 
member of Congress, 1803 to 1805, and as Mrs. Gannett's 
pension was obtained in 1805 and ran from 1803, it would 
seem probable that he had a hand in procuring it. If so, 
it was a good pecuniary result of her lecturing venture. 
She also obtained from her lectures enough money to 
enable her to forward some to Sharon, "which I hope," 
she writes, "my family will make a good use of." 

Concerning the contents of the address, it must be 
admitted that it contains little narrative, being largely 
apologetic. The speaker alludes to adverse criticism of 
her act in enlisting as a soldier, which she owns to be an 
act of presumption. But she had pondered on the injustice 
of the war, and wished to be an avenger. Seizing an 
opportunity, she enlisted, and then determined to stay to 
the end. A few scenes of the war are named. Of the 
engagement of White Plains, she says: "I was there." 
The motive that caused her to enlist is referred to. which 
she seems to decide by attributing it to her fate. If a 
man had done it, he would have achieved immortal glory 
and fame. But she was a woman, and so contents herself 
with claiming her hearers' indulgence, as she is conscious 
of the approbation of God. She closes the address with 
expressing her high respect for her own sex — -a respect 
increased by her rough experience. 

To make the reprint more exact, the spelling of the 
original is preserved, such as the careless omission of a 
letter in the word "ADDRSS" on the title page. This 



lO INTRODUCTION TO REPRINT 

particular mistake was afterwards corrected, as is skown 
in another copy. 

The lecturing- tour of Deborah Sampson Gannett in 
1802 forms a most interesting chapter in her life, as it 
shows her to be a pioneer in this field. It may be diflficult 
to name a woman before her time who earned money by 
travelling alone from town to town, attending to her own 
business details and delivering an address. The writers of 
her career, however, have scarcely touched upon this sub- 
ject. The first public notice of Mrs. Gannett as a lecturer 
appears to have been taken in her own town of Sharon, 
April 3, 1902, at a banquet in the town hall commemorative 
of the centenary of the event. On this occasion, after- 
dinner speeches were made by Mrs. Mary A. Livermore 
of Melrose, Hon. Alfred S. Roe of Worcester, Mrs. Myra 
B. Hatch of Whitman, Edmund H. Talbot and Rev. Almon 
J. Dyer of Sharon. Frank E. Burbank of Sharon read an 
address written by Rev. A. A. Berle, D. D., now of Salem. 
Selections from Mrs. Gannett's diary were read by Mrs. 
Susan G. Moody, a great-granddaughter, who resides in 
the old homestead. 

1'he house where Deborah Sampson Gannett lived, 
somewhat changed, still stands in good preservation on 
East street, a mile from Sharon village, and her grave is 
in Rockridge cemetery, on the same street, one mile south- 
w'esterly from the house. A street near by is named 
Deborah Sampson street. Many of her descendants reside 
in Sharon and the adjoining towns. The honored name 
of their ancestress is often pronounced, and visits are 
often made to her home and her grave. A new tribute to 
the memory of Mrs. Gannett will appear on the soldiers' 
monument soon to be erected a short distance from her 
grave, from funds bequeathed for the purpose in the will 
of her grandson, George Washington Gay, late of Sharon. 



INTKOOUCTION TO REPRINT II 

He was son of Seth and Patience Gay above mentioned. 
After providing for the monument, the testator says: "I 
further request to have the name Deborah Sampson Gan- 
nett, with proper reference to her service in the war of the 
revolution, inscribed on the same memorial stone." 

EUGENE TAPPAN. 
Sharon, April, 1905. 



A N 

A D D R S S, 

delivered with applause, 
At the Federal-Street Theatre, Boston, 

FOUR SUCCESSIVE NIGHTS OF THE DIFFERENT 
PLAYS, BEGINNING MARCH 22, l802; 

AND AFTER, AT OTHER PRINCIPAL TOWNS, A 

NUMBER OF NIGHTS SUCCESSIVELY 

AT EACH PLACE ; 

By Mrs. DEBORAH GANNET, 

THK AMERICAN HEROINE, 

Who served three years with reputation (undiscovered as a 
Female ) in the late American Army. 



PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THK AUDIENCES. 



Cop^ IRiabt Secured. 



Dcbbam : 

Printed <7«^Sold by H. Mann, /<:»/■ Mrs. Gannet, 
a/ //^<r Minerva Office, — 1802. 



INTRO D UCTIO N. 



The character and achievements of Mrs. Gannett, late 
Deborah Sampson, the Americajt Heroine^ have excited niucJi 
curiosity in the United States. At the close of the revolution, 
she retired to an obscure part of Massachusetts, selected, or rather 
was selected, a partner of an indtistrious farmer. From her 
Memoirs, since published, and the best, nearest information., she 
continues to support, with reputation, the offices of Wife., MotJier 
and Friend — affable in her disposition, courteous in her man- 
ners,, and universally benevolent. 

It is from her naturally ambitious disposition, and taste 
for a more elevated stile of life, that she is ifiduced to re-visit 
some of the principal places, zvhich were the theatre of her per- 
sonating the soldier — to appear in public, to open the eyes of the 
incredulo7is, and to wipe off any aspersions, which the whispers 
of satire, caprice, or jnalevolence may have zvantonly thrown 
upon her. 

This resolution being communicated to a tiumber of re- 
spectable Character's, she received invitations from thevi, to make 
her appearance oji the Boston Theatre, and to give a recital of 
some of the principal traits of her life. This proposal caught 
both herfaticy and her wishes, honorably to enhance the pecuniary 
interest of her family ; zvhich she is said industriously to econ- 
omize. 

She accordingly procured the following., which she re- 
markably soon committed, verbatim, to memory, except an ad- 



l6 INTRODUCTION. 

dition since of about three pages. Under the superititendence of 
Messrs. Powell a)id Harper, she was ushered on to the Stage 
in a very polite manner ; luhere, before a croudcd assembly, per- 
fectly unabashed, she very audibly recited her Jiaration. In the 
Manual Exercise, being in complete uniform, and during the 
Soldier's Festival, she acquitted lierself with peculiar ease and 
grace. — An attendant has since introduced her to the Audience by 
the follozving 

pvospcctug. 

Ye Guardian Friends of Liberty and Peace, 
Our surest hope of merit, power, increase, 
Mark here those traits so rare in Female's name ; 
She does not speak, nor do I ^x'\\.e:, for fame. 
Her boldest claim is simple, geninc Truth ; 
Her humblest plea is for her Sex and Youth. 
May not base calumny her deeds supplant ; 

Your Patronage as from a Parent, grant. — 
E en Britain's Fair, though proud, this truth must own — 

When Liberty's at stake, a FEMALE storms the Throne ! 



aD2) TRESS. 



N, 



OT unlike the example of the patriot and philan- 
thropist, though perhaps perfectly so in effect, do I 
awake from the tranquil slumbers of retirement, to 
active, public scenes of life, like those which now sur- 
round me. That genius which is the prompter of curi- 
osity, and that spirit which is the support of enterprize^ 
early drove, or, rather illured me, from the corner of 
humble obscurity — their cheering aspect has again pre- 
vented a torpid rest. 

Secondary to these are the solicitations of a number 
of worthy characters and friends, too persuasive and 
congenial with my own disposition to be answered with 
indifference, or to be rejected, have induced me thus to 
advance and bow submissive to an audience, simply and 
concisely to rehearse a tale of truth; which, though it 
took its rise, and finally terminated in the splendor of 
public life, I was determined to repeat only as the solil- 
oquy of a hermit, or to the visionary phantoms, which 
hover through the glooms of solitude. 

A Tale — the truth of which I was ready to say, 
but which, perhaps, others have already said for me, 
ought to expel me from the enjoyment of society, from 



l8 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

the acknowledgment of my own sex, and from the 
endearing friendship of the other. But this, I venture 
to pronounce, would be saying too much : For as I 
should thus not respect myself, should be entitled to 
none from others. 

I Indeed recollect it as a foible, an error and pre- 
sumption, into which, perhaps, I have too inadvertantly 
and precipitately run; but which I now retrospect with 
aiiojuish and amazement — recollect it, as a Thomson, or 
any other moralizing naturalist, susceptible to the like 
fine feelino^s of nature, recollects the howlinor blasts of 
wiiiteT-, at a period when Floi^a has strewed the earth 
with all her profusion of delicacies, and whose zephyrs 
are wasting their fragrance to heighten our sensations 
of tranquility and pleasure; — or, rather, perhaps, I 
ought to recollect it, as a marriner, having regained his 
native shore of serenity and peace, looks back on the 
stormy billows which, so long and so constantly had 
threatened to ingulph him in the bowels of the deep! 
And yet I must frankly confess, I recollect it with a 
kind of satisfaction, which no one can better conceive 
and enjoy than him, who, recollecting the good uLteutions 
of a bad deed, lives to see and to correct any indecorum 
of his life. 

But without further preliminary apologies, yet with 
every due respect towards this brilliant and polite circle, 
I hasten to a review of the most conspicuous parts of 
that path, which led to achievements, which some have 
believed, but which many still doubt. Their accomplish- 
ment once seemed to me as impossible, as that I am 



THEATRICAL ADDRESS. I9 

author of them, is now incredible to the incredulous, or 
wounding to the ear of more refined delicacy and taste. 
They are a breach in the decorum of my sex, unquestion- 
ably; and, perhaps, too unfortunately ever irreconcilable 
with the rigid maxims of the moralist; and a sacrifice, 
which, while it may seem perfectly incompatible with 
the requirements of virtue — and which of course must 
ring discord in the ear, and disgust to the bosom of 
sensibility and refinement, I must be content to leave to 
time and the most scrutinizing enquiry to disclose. 

Unlettered in any scholastic school of erudition, 
you will not expect, on this occasion, the entertainment 
of the soft and captivating sounds of eloquence; but 
rather a naration of facts in a mode as uncouth as they 
are unnatural. Facts — which, though I once experi- 
enced, and of which memory has ever been painfully 
retentive, I cannot now make you feel, or paint to the 
life. 

Know then, that my juvenile mind early became 
inquisitive to understand — not merely whether the prin- 
ciples, or rather the seeds of war are analagous to the 
genuine nature of man — not merely to know why he 
should forego every trait of humanity, and to assume 
the character of a brute; or, in plainer language, why 
he should march out tranquilly, or in a paroxism of rage 
against his fellow-man, to butcher, or be butchered? — for 
these, alas! were too soon horribly verified by the mas- 
sacres in our streets, in the very streets which encom- 
pass this edifice — in yonder adjacent villas,* on yonder 

*Lexington, and the adjacent towns and hamlets, when the 
British marched out of Boston to destroy the military stores at Co?uord. 



20 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

memorable eminence,* where now stand living monu- 
ments of the atrocious, the heart-distracting, mementous 
scenes, that followed in rapid succession ! 

This I am ready to afifirm, though it may be deemed 
unnatural in my sex, is not a demoralization of human 
nature. The sluices, both of the blood of freemen and 
of slaves, were first opened here. And those hills and 
vallies, once the favorite resort, both of the lover and 
philosopher, have been drunk with their blood ! A new 
subject was then opened to the most pathetic imagina- 
tion, and to the rouzing of every latent spark of human- 
ity, one should think, in the bosoms of the wolves, as 
well as in those of the sheep, for whose blood they were 
so thirsty. 

But most of all, my mind became agitated with the 
enquiry — why a nation, separated from us by an ocean 
more than three thousand miles in extent, should en- 
deavor to enforce on us plans of subjugation, the most 
unnatural in themselves, unjust, inhuman, in their opera- 
tions, and unpractised even by the uncivilized savages of 
the wilderness .f* Perhaps nothing but the critical junc- 
ture of the times could have excused such a philosophi- 
cal disquisition of politics in woman, notwithstanding it 
was a theme of universal speculation and concern to 
man. We indeed originated from her, as from a parent, 
and had, perhaps, continued to this period in subjection 
to her mandates, had we not discovered, that this, her 
romantic, avaricious and cruel disposition extended to 
murder, after having bound the slave! 

*}5RKKn's Hill — ivrongly called Bunker Hill. 



THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 21 

Confirmed by this time in the justness of a defen- 
sive war on the one side, from the most aggravated one 
on the other — my mind ripened with my strength; and 
while our beds and our roses were sprinkled with the 
blood of indiscriminate youth, beauty, innocence and 
decrepit old age, I only seemed to want the lice^ise to 
become one of the severest avengers of the wrong. 

For several years I looked on these scenes of 
havoc, rapacity and devastation, as one looks on a 
drowning man, on the conflagration of a city — where 
are not only centered his coffers of gold, but with them 
his choicest hopes, friends, companions, his all — without 
being able to extend the rescuing hand to either. 

Wrought upon at length, you may say, by an 
ethusiasm and phrenzy, that could brook no control — I 
burst the tyrant bands, which held 7ny sex in aiue, and 
clandestinely, or by stealth, grasped an opportunity, 
which custom and the world seemed to deny, as a 
natural priviledge. And whilst poverty, hunger, naked- 
ness, cold and disease had dwindled the American 
Armies to a handful — whilst universal terror and dismay 
ran through our camps, ran through our country — while 
even WASHINGTON himself, at their head, though 
like a god, stood, as it were, on a pinacle tottering over 
the abyss of destruction, the last prelude to our falling 
a wretched prey to the yawning jaws of the monster 
aiming to devour — not merely for the sake of gratifying 
a fecetious curiosity, like that of my reputed Predeces- 
sor, in her romantic excursions through the garden of 
bliss — did I throw off the soft habiliments of my sex, 



22 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

and assume those of the ivarrior, already prepared for 
battle. 

Thus I became an actor in that important drama, 
with an inflexible resolution to persevere through the 
last scene; when we might be permitted and acknowl- 
edged to enjoy what we had so nobly declared we would 
possess, or lose with our lives — Freedom and Indepen- 
dence! — When the philosopher might resume his re- 
searches unmolested — the statesman be disembarrassed 
by his distracting theme of national politics — the divine 
find less occasion to invoke the indis^nation of heaven 
on the usurpers and cannibals of the inherent rights 
and even existence of man — when the son should again 
be restored to the arms of his disconsolate parent, and 
the lover to the bosom of her, for whom indeed he is 
willing to jeopard his life, and for whom alone he wishes 
to live! 

A NEW scene, and, as it were, a new world now 
opened to my view; the objects of which now seemed 
as important, as the transition before seemed unnatural. 
It would, however, here be a weakness in me to mention 
the tear of repentence, or of that of temerity, from 
which the stoutest of my sex are, or ought not to be, 
wholly exempt on extreme emergencies, which many 
times involuntarily stole into my eye, and fell unheeded 
to the ground: And that too before I had reached the 
embattled field, the ramparts, which protected its internal 
resources — which shielded youth, beauty, and the deli- 
cacy of that sex at home, which perhaps I had forfeited 
in turning volunteer in their defence. Temeritis — when 



THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 23 

reflections on my former situation, and this new kind of 
being, were daggers more frightful, than all the imple- 
ments of war — when the rustling of every leaf was an 
omen of danger, the whisper of each wind, a tale of woe! 
If then the poignancy of thought stared me thus hag- 
gardly in the face, found its way to the inmost recesses 
of my heart, thus forcibly, in the commencement of my 
career — what must I not have anticipated before its 
close! 

The curtain is now up — a scene opens to your 
view; but the objects strike your attention less forcibly, 
and less interestingly, than they then did, not only my 
own eyes, but every energetic sensation of my soul. 
What shall I say further? Shall I not stop short, and 
leave to your imaginations to pourtray the tragic deeds 
of war? Is it not enough, that I here leave it even to 
unexperience to fancy the hardships, the anxieties, the 
danarers.even of the best life of a soldier? And were it not 
improper, were it not unsafe, were it not indelicate, and 
were I certain I should be intitled to a pardon, I would 
appeal to the soft bosom of my own sex to draw a 
parallel between the perils and sexual inconveniences of 
a girl in her teens, and not only in the armour, but in 
the capacity, at any rate, obliged to perform the duties 
in the field — and those who go to the camp without a 
masquerade, and consequently subject only to what toils 
and sacrifices they please : Or, will a conclusion be 
more natural from those who sometimes take occasion 
to complain by their own domestic fire-sides; but who, 
indeed, are at the same time in affluence, cherished in 
the arms of their companions, and sheltered from the 
storms of war by the rougher sex in arms? 



24 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

Many have seen, and many can contemplate, in the 
field of imagination, battles and victories amidst gar- 
ments rolled in blood: but it is only one of my own sex, 
exposed to the storm, who can conceive of my situation. 

We have all heard of, many have doubtless seen, 
the meteor streaming through or breaking in the hori- 
zon — the terrific glare of the comet, in its approach 
towards, or in its declension from us, in its excentric 
orbit — the howling of a tempest — the electric fluid, 
which darts majesty and terror through the clouds — its 
explosion and tremendous effects! — Bostonians, and 
you who inhabit its environs, you who have known from 
experience your houses and your hills tremble from the 
cannonade of Charlestown, — your ears are yet wounded 
by the shrieks of her mangled and her distressed — your' 
eyes swimming in a deluge of anguish at the sight of 
our butchered, expiring relatives and friends; while the 
conflagration of the town added the last solemnity to 
the scene! 

This idea must assimulate with the progress of this 
horrid delusion of war. Hence you can behold the 
parched soil of White-Plains drink insatiate the blood 
of her most peaceful and industrious proprietors — of 
freemen, -d^wdi oi slaves! I was there! The recollection 
makes me shudder! — A dislocated limb draws fresh 
anguish from my heart! 

You may have heard the thunderings of a volcano 
— you may have contemplated, with astonishment and 
wonder, the burial of a city by its eruption. Your ears 



THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 25 

then are yet deafened from the thunderings of the in- 
vasion of York Town — your eyes dazzled, your imagina- 
tions awfully sublimed, by the fire which belched from 
its environs, and towered, like that from an eruption of 
Etna, to the clouds! Your hearts yet bleed, from 
every principle of humanity, at the recollection of the 
havoc, carnage and death that reigned there! 

Three successive weeks, after a long and rapid 
march, found me amidst this storm. — But, happy for 
America, happy for Europe, perhaps for the World, 
when, on the delivery of Cornwallis's sword to the 
illustrious, the immortal WASHINGTON, or rather 
by his order, to the brave Limcoln, the sun of Liberty 
and Independence burst through a sable cloud, and his 
benign influence was, almost instantaneously, felt in our 
remotest corners! The phalanx of war was thus broken 
through, and the palladium of peace blossoming on its 
ruins. 

I WILL not hence urge you to retrace with me 
(tranquilly you surely cannot) all the footsteps of our 
valient heroic Leaders through the distraction both of 
elements and of war. I will not even pourtray an at- 
tempt to reinforce the brave Schuyler, then on the 
borders of Canada; where, if the war-whoop of infernals 
should not strike you with dismay, the tommahawk 
would soon follow! 

Nor need I point you to the death-like doors of the 
hospital in Philadelphia, whose avenues were crouded 



26 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

with the sick, the dying and the dead; though myself 
made one of the unhappy croud! 

You have now but the shade of a picture; which 
neither time nor my abiHties will permit me to show 
you to the life. The haggard fiend, despair, may have 
stared you in the face, when giving over the pursuit of 
a favorite, lost child: And it is only in this torture of 
suspense that we can rightly conceive of its situation. 

Such is my experience — not that I ever mourned 
the loss of a child, but that I considered myself as lost ! 
For, on the one hand, if I fell not a victim to the infuri- 
ate rabble of a mob, or of a war not yet fully terminated 
— a disclosure of my peculiar situation seemed infinitely 
worse than either. And if from stratagem and persever- 
ance, I may acquire as great knowledge in every respect 
as I have of myself in this, my knowledge, at least of 
human nature, will be as complete as it is useful. 

But we will now hasten from the field, from the 
embattled entrenchments, built for the destruction of 
man, from a long, desolating war, to contemplate more 
desirable and delightful scenes. And notwithstanding 
curiosity may prompt any to retrace the climax of our 
revolution, the means, under a smiling, superintending 
providence, by which we have outrode the storms of 
danger and distress — what heart will forget to expand 
with joy and gratitude, to beat in unison, at the pro- 
pitious recollection.? And I enquire, what infant tongue 
can ever forget or cease being taught to lisp the praises 
of WASHINGTON, and those of that bright constella- 



thp:atkical address. 27 

tion of WORTHIES, who swell the list of Columbian 
fame — those, by whose martial skill and philanthropic 
labors, we were first led to behold, after a long and 
stormy night, the smiling sun of Peace burst on our be- 
nighted World! And while we drop a tear over the 
flowery turf of those patriots and sages, may she unriv- 
alled enjoy and encrease her present bright sunshine of 
happiness! May agriculture and commerce, industry 
and manufactures, arts and sciences, virtue and decorum, 
union and harmony — those richest sources of our worth, 
and strongest pillars of our strength, become stationary, 
like fixed stars in the firmament, to flourish in her 
clime! 

Hail dearest Liberty! thou source sublime! 

What rays refulgent dart upon our clime! 

For thee the direful contest has been waged, 

Our hope, and all that life held dear engaged. 

Thee the prime offspring which my thoughts employ, 

Once sought with grief — -now turns that grief to joy. 

Your beatific influence extend 

O'er Africa, whose sable race befriend. 

May Europe, as our sister-empire, join. 

To hail thee rising with your power divine. 

From the lone cottage to the tyrant's throne. 

May Liberty, ethereal guest, be known! 

Be thou preserved for nations yet unborn, 

Fair as the shining Star that decks the morn. 

But the question again returns — What particular 
ijiducenient could she have thus to elope from the soft 
sphere of her own sex, to perform a deed of valor by way 
of sac rile s;e on unhalknved oround — voluntarily to face 
the s tor 7ns doth of clcniciits and war, in the character of 



28 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

kim, who is more fitly made to brave and endure all 
danger ? 

And dost thou ask what fairy hand inspired 
A Nymph to be with martial glory tired ? 
Or, what from art, or yet from nature's laws, 
Has join'd a Female to her country's cause? 
Why on great Mars's theatre she drew 
Her/z-w^z/^ pourtrait, though in soldier's hue? 

Then ask — why Cmcinnatus left his farm ? 
Why science did old Plato's bosom warm? 
Why Hector in the Trojan war should dare? 
Or why should Homer trace his actions there? 
Why Newton in philosophy has shown? 
Or Charles, for solitude, has left his throne ? 
Why Locke in metaphysics should delight — 
Precisian sage, to set false reason right ? 
Why Albion's Sons should kindle up a war ? 
Why Jove or Vulcan hurried on the car ? 
Perhaps the same propensity you use, 
Has prompted her a martial course to choose. 
Perhaps to gain refinements where she could, 
This rare achievement for her country's good. 
Or was some hapless lover from her torn— 
As Emma did her valient Hammon mourn ? 
Else he must tell, who would this truth attain, 
Why one is formed for pleasure — one for pain : 
Or, boldly, why our Maker made us such- 
Why here he gives too little — there too much! 

I WOULD not purposely evade a a pertinent answer; 
and yet I know not, at present, how to give a more par- 
ticular one than has already been suggested. 

I AM indeed willing to acknowledge what I have 
done, an error and presumption. I will call it an error 



THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 2C) 

and presumption, because I swerved from the accus- 
tomed flovvry paths of female delicacy, to walk upon the 
heroic precipice of feminine perdition! — I indeed left 
my morning pillow of roses, to prepare a couch of 
brambles for the night ; and yet I awoke from this re- 
freshed, to gather nought but the thorns of anguish for 
the next night's repose — and in the precipitancy of pas- 
sion, to prepare a moment for repentance at leisure! 

Had all this been achieved by the rougher hand, 
more properly assigned to wield the sword in duty and 
danger in a defensive war, the most cruel in its measures, 
though important in its consequences ; these thorns 
might have been converted into wreaths of immortal 
glory and fame. I therefore yield every claim of honor 
and distinction to the hero and patriot, who met the foe 
in his own name ; though not with more heartfelt satis- 
faction, with the trophies, which were most to redound 
to the future grandeur and importance of the country 
in which he lives. 

But repentance is a sweet solace to conscience, as 
well as the most complete atonement to the Supreme 
Judge of our offences: notwithstanding the tongue of 
malevolence and scurrility may be continually preparing 
its most poisonous ingredients for the punishment of a 
crime which has already received more than half a 
pardon. 

Yet if even this be deemed too much of an exten- 
uation of a breach in the modesty of \.\\^ fe77iale world — 
humilized and contented will I sit down inglorious, for 



30 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

having unfortunately performed an important part as- 
signed for another — like a bewildered star traversing 
out of its accustomed orbit, whose twinkling beauty at 
most has become totally obscured in the presence of the 
sun. 

But as the rays of the sun strike the eye with the 
greatest lustre when emerging from a thick fog, and as 
those actions which have for their objects the extended 
hand of charity to the indigent and wretched — to re- 
store a bewildered traveller to light — and, to reform in 
ourselves any irregular and forlorn course of life; so, 
allowing myself to be one or the greatest of these, do I 
still hope for some claim on the indulgence and patron- 
age of the public; as in such case I might be conscious 
of the approbation of my God. 

I CANNOT, contentedly, quit this subject or this 
place, without expressing, more emphatically, my high 
respect and veneration for my own sex. The indul- 
gence of this respectable circle supercedes my merit, as 
well as my most sanguine expectations. You receive at 
least in return my warmest gratitude. And though you 
can neither have, or perhaps need, from me the instruc- 
tions of the sage, or the advice of the counsellor ; you 
surely will not be wholly indifferent to my most sincere 
declaration of friendship for that sex, for which this 
checkered flight of my life may have rendered me the 
least ornamental example; but which, neither in adver- 
sity or prosperity, could I ever learn to forget or de- 
grade. 

I TAKE it to be from the greatest extremes both 



THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 



in virtue and in vice, that the uniformly virtuous and 
reformed in Hfe can derive the greatest and most salu- 
tary truths and impressions, — Who, for example, can 
contemplate for a moment, tho. prodigal — from the time 
of his revelry with harlots, to that of his eating husks 
with swine, and to his final return to his father — with- 
out the greatest emotion of disgust, pity and joy? And 
is it possible to behold the effects of the unprincipled 
conduct of the libertme, the bacchanalian, the debauchee, 
and what is more wretched of all, of the emaciated, 
haggard form of a modern baggage in the streets, 
without bringing into exercise every passion of abhor- 
rence and commisseration? And yet, happy, those, who 
at the same time receive a monitor which fixes a resolve, 
never to embark on such a sea of perdition; where we 
see shipwreck of all that is enobling to the dignity of 
■man — all that is lovely and amiable in the character of 
woman ! 

I CANNOT, indeed bring the adventures, even of the 
worst part of my own life, as parallels with this black 
catalogue of crimes. But in whatever I may be thought 
to have been unnatural, unwise and indelicate, it is now 
my most fervent desire it may have a suitable impres- 
sion on you — and on me, a penitent for every wrong 
thought and step. The rank you hold in the scale of 
beings is, in many respects, superior to that of man. 
Nurses of his growth, and invariable models of his hab- 
its, he becomes a suppliant at your shrine, emulous to 
please, assiduous to cherish and support, to live and to 
die for you! Blossoms from your very birth, you be- 
come his admiration, his joy, his eden companions in 



32 THEATRICAL ADDRESS. 

this world. — How important then is it, that these blos- 
soms bring forth such fruit, as will best secure your 
own delights and felicity, and those of him, whose every 
enjoyment, and even his very existence, is so peculiarly 
interwoven with your own! 

On the whole, as we readily acquiesce in the ac- 
knowledgment, that the field and the cabinet are the 
proper spheres assigned to our Masters and our 
Lords; may we, also, deserve the dignified title and 
encomium of Mistress and Lady, in our kitchens and 
in our parlours. And as an overruling providence may 
succeed our wishes — let us rear an offspring in every 
respect worthy to fill the most illustrious stations of 
their predecessors. 




HISTORICAL SOCIETY GATHERINGS. 

April 19, 1904. At the invitation of the Canton 
Historical Society, some members of the Sharon Society 
and of the Stoughton Society joined in a Patriot's Day 
outing. The forenoon was spent in a walk down Bill- 
ings street and East street to Rockridge cemetery, and 
thence to McElroy's grove near Massapoag pond. Here 
a lunch was served and the company then walked 
through Gun House street to take the electric car 
homeward on South Main street. Remarks were made 
by Eugene Tappan at the site of Gen. Benjamin Tup- 
per's birthplace, and by Solomon Talbot at the supposed 
grave of Edmund Ouincy. The day was warm, but in 
the evening a small blizzard covered the ground with 
one or two inches of snow. 

April 2<S, 1904. Quarterly meeting of the Society. 
Vice President D. Webster Pettee in the chair. Twenty- 
five new members joined. The by-laws were so changed 
as to hold the summer meeting on the Thursday of Old 
Home Week, and also to create the office of auditor. 
Annual reports were received, and the annual election 
of officers took place. The first publication of the 
Society was distributed, consisting of a pamphlet of 36 
pages, entitled "Publications of the Sharon Historical 
Society of Sharon, Massachusetts, No. i, April, 1904." 



34 HISTORICAL SOCIETY GATHERINGS 

Its leading article is "Annals of Sharon, by Jeremiah 
Gould, 1830." William R. Mann read a paper giving 
reminiscences of Sharon, 183 1- 1850. James N. Pringle 
read a communication to the Society from President 
John G. Phillips about an Italian passenger whom he 
met on his voyage to Europe. Tea was served at the 
social half hour. 

April 30, 1904. The Corresponding Secretary at- 
tended, as delegate, a meeting of the Bay State Histor- 
ical League at 12 Somerset street, Boston. 

June 4, 1904. Several members attended the out- 
ing of the Bay State Historical League at Lexington. 
An address was delivered in the Unitarian Church by 
Prof. Hart of Harvard College. Rev. C. A. Staples 
escorted the assembly over the Common and to the 
house of the Lexington Historical Society, and ex- 
plained matters of interest. 

Aug. 4, 1904. Old Home Week, outing in the fore- 
noon to Moose Hill. Forty-five persons were in the par- 
ty, having 7 carriages besides a barge. An abandoned 
burial ground (Lothrop) was examined. At the cellar 
of the old Morse house, Henry F. Talbot read a de- 
scription of the place, and of the Smith place on Moose 
Hill, w^ritten by Solomon Talbot. Leonard Billings 
came out on to his piazza at the foot of the hill and 
played on a violin manufactured by himself. 

In the evening, the quarterly meeting was held in 
the upper Town Hall. Vice-President D. Webster Pet- 
tee in the chair. Sixteen new members joined. Resolu- 
tions were passed on the deaths of two members, Fred- 
erick L.Holbrook, who died June 1 6th, and William Oscar 



HISTORICAL SOCIETY GATHERINGS 35 

Arnold, who died July i8th. Henry F. Talbot read 
a description of old Sharon homesteads written by his 
father, Solomon Talbot. Miss Elmira S. Winship read a 
a paper written by her mother, Mrs. Adaliza A. (Johnson) 
Winship, entitled "Trip over Moose Hill Road." Both 
writers were in the audience. Rev. T. Frank Waters, 
President of the Ipswich Historical Society, delivered 
an address on the value of an historical society. Music 
was furnished by Reach's orchestra of Boston. 

September 22, 1904. The ofificers of the Society 
called in the evening upon Vice-President Solomon 
Talbot, at his house on Maskwonicut Street, to congrat- 
ulate him on reaching the age of ninety years. Timothy 
F. Quinn made an address presenting a Doulton 
ware pitcher marked " Solomon Talbot, 1904." On 
the side is a picture of a vessel sailing, and Mr. Quinn 
referred to Mr. Talbot's still being at the helm. Re- 
sponse was made by Mr. Talbot, who afterwards spoke 
about the ancient families of the town. Refreshments 
were served by the ladies of the family. 

October 27, 1904. Quarterly meeting of the So- 
ciety in the upper Town Hall. President John G. 
Phillips in the chair. Fourteen new members joined. A 
resolution was passed on the death of a member, Mrs. 
Eunice L. Gay, who died September 5th, aged 86 
years, 9 months, 19 days. During the intermission, 
Eugene Tappan, addressed the President in a congratu- 
latory manner on his return home with his family from 
a prolonged visit in Europe, at the close presenting him 
with a gavel made from the newel post of the staircase 
in the house of his birth. Mr. Phillips responded in a 



36 HISTORICAL SOCIETY GATHERINGS 

feeling manner, and testified to his joy in once more 
being present with his friends in Sharon. 

Rev. Anson Titus of Somerville, delivered an ad- 
dress on Old Provincial days with especial reference to 
Madam Sarah Knight of Boston, who 200 years ago 
rode on horseback throusrh Sharon and lodoed at Eben- 
ezer Billings's tavern on her trip from Boston to New 
York. Singing was furnished by a double quartet with 
Cassius C. Stearns, director, who rendered "Ode on 
Science," "Invitation" and "Keller's American Hymn." 

January 18, 1905. By invitation of the Somerville 
Historical Society, the Corresponding Secretary at- 
tended a meeting of that Society, in the Oliver Tufts 
house on Sycamore street, and spoke of the work being 
done by the Sharon Society. 

January 26, 1905. Quarterly meeting of the So- 
ciety. President John G. Phillips in the chair. Tea 
was served, with music by Everett C. Stanton, pianist, 
and Robert Tappan on the mandolin. Seven new 
members joined. John G. Phillips delivered an address 
on Pole Plain, an ancient name for the vicinity, giving 
some reasons for referring the origin of the term to 
connection with William Pole and his sister P21iza- 
beth Pole, early settlers in Dorchester and later in 
Taunton. A short discussion followed. There had 
been a blizzard the previous day with cold and drifts of 
snow. Thirty-three persons, however, attended the 
meeting. A gift presented by Charles E. Hall was ex- 
plained by the president, being a section of wall paper 
taken from the Capen house on Massapoag street. The 
paper on which the design was printed proved to be 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 37 

sheets of an ancient French pamphlet. All the meet- 
ings of the year were closed with singing "Auld Lang 
Syne." 

February 25, 1905. The President attended a 
meeting of the Bay State Historical League at 12 
Somerset street, Boston. 

MLSCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

The plan of an historical scrap book was explained 
in Publications No. i of the Society, and 3 1 contributions 
were there acknowledged. Thirty of these with ad- 
ditional articles have been substantially bound in half 
morocco, making a book 8^ inches by io| inches, and f 
inch thick. The additional articles are, — 

Philip Curtis's Firewood ..... Clara E. Curtis 
Sharon Hydraulic Water Works - - - Charles S. Curtis 
My early school days at North Sharon - - Amanda M. Eddy 
Trip to Sharon after forty years - - - George F. Leonard 
The Tisdales of Easton and others - - Loring W. Puffer 
Uncle Daniel Fuller ----- Catherine A. Shedd 
Sharon Land Owners in 1798 - - - Eugene Tappan 

Drawing of a Sharon front door - - - - Robert Tappan 
First acquaintance with Sharon ... - Rufus B. Tobey 
A little Rebellion history - - - George H. Whittemore 
Trip over Moose Hill road - - Adaliza A. (Johnson) Winship 
Our Calendar, Baptist Church . . - - Emma A. Baker 
How they earned the Dollar . . - - Eliza L. White 

First Episcopalian service in Sharon - - William W. Doherty 
Massapoag Pond in Lunenburg - - - William H. Putnam 

An index is added containing 500 names of persons 
besides other references. The book is entitled "Scrap 
Book, Volume i." Volume 2 is nearly ready, and a 



38 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 

table of its contents will be given in the next number of 
the Publications. 

In continuation of the purpose of the Society to 
encourage the practice of getting acquainted with the 
historic and natural features of Sharon, an Outing 
Committee has been appointed consisting of the follow- 
ing gentlemen: — Col. Edmund H. Hewins, chairman, 
A. Alden Carpenter, Charles S. Curtis, Benjamin Ray- 
nolds, and Henry F. Talbot. 

The Society considers Old Home week to be an 
ideal occasion for holding one of its quarterly meetings. 
This week in Massachusetts is appointed by statute law 
to commence on the last Sunday of July in every year. 
The next quarterly meeting of the Sharon Society will 
be held on Thursday evening of that week, August 3, 
1905, in the town hall. An outing will also be taken 
during the same week. 

Other meetings of the Society will be held Octo- 
ber 26, 1905, January 25 and April 26, 1906. As the 
next January meeting falls on the anniversary of the 
birthday of Robert Burns, due recognition will then 
be taken of that event. 

The Sharon Historical Society is deeply grateful 
for the appreciation shown by its sister societies and 
many friends, and for the valuable aid and encourage- 
ment given. The purpose of the Society to issue a 
printed annual publication has been warmly commended, 
and the Society is cheered in continuing this important 
line of work. To meet the anticipated call for the re- 
print of Deborah Sampson Gannett's address, the prin- 
cipal article in the present annual, there has been pre- 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 39 

pared for sale a special edition of the reprint of the 
address and the secretary's introduction. This forms a 
thin book bound in calf back and boards, with gilt top 
and uncut edges, the price of which is seventy-five cents, 
postage prepaid, 

A full program of each quarterly meeting is issued 
before the meeting, and will be sent to societies and 
friends who request it Their attendance on the Sharon 
meetings would be highly appreciated. 

The Sharon Historical Society needs a Home for 
its records and collections and for a place of meeting 
for members and visitors. Held in lasting remembrance 
will be the honored name of that man or woman who so 
loves Sharon as to build an historical house for the 
Society. 

Friends of Sharon are requested to forward to the 
ofificers of the Society any information they acquire 
concerning the town. Early documents and letters, old 
newspapers references, and diaries are desired. Infor- 
mation will also be acceptable respecting the former 
existence of moose, and the origin of the names "Pole 
Plain" and "Sharon." Accounts are wanted of migra- 
tions of Sharon families to Maine loo years ago and to 
the west 75 years ago. The exact identification and 
proof of the birthplace of Deborah Sampson in Plymp- 
ton, information as to the site of Wainman's Ordinary, 
memoranda about Jonathan Billings, Rev. Philip Curtis 
and other forefathers of Sharon, would be gladly re- 
ceived. The corresponding secretary, on request, will 
furnish suitable sheets prepared for the Scrap Book. 
While asking the assistance of others, the Sharon society 



4© GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 

is willing to respond, as it is able, to inquiries received 
from others also. 



Officers of the Historical Society. 

President, John G. Phillips. 

Vice-Presidents, Solomon Talkot, William R. Mann, D. Webster Pettee. 

Recording Secretary, George H. Whittemore. 

Corresponding Secretary, Eugene Tappan. 

Treasurer, Arthur D. Colburn. 

Custodian, Loring M. Monk. 

Auditor, John A. Bowman. 

Additional Directors, Edmund H. Hewins, Timothy F. Quinn, Amanda 

M. Eddy, Emma A. Baker. 



GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY. 

Alvin R. Alden, Sharon. Newspaper clippings. 
Francis E. Blake, Boston. 
Dorchester Neck. 

Lucy Keyes, the lost child of VVachusett Mountain. 
Increase Blake. 
All written by Mr. Blake. 
Mrs. Ellen A. Bond, Sharon. Photographs found in the stump 
of a tree. 

George Ernest Bowman, Boston, llie Mayfloiver Descendant,, 
(quarterly) January, 1905. 

Abram English Brown, Bedford. Flag of the Minute Men, by 
Mr. Brown. 

William Child, M. D., Bath, N. H. History of 5th N. H. 
Regiment, by Dr. Child. 

Rev. A. R. Crane, I). D., Hebron, Maine. Centennial of Maine 
Baptist Convention (Allusion to Rev. Oliver Billings, a native of 
Sharon.) 

Alton Crosby, Willmar, Minn. Reprint of Chrtnick, (VVask- 
ington) Feb. £, 1864. 



GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 4I 

Charles S. Curtis, Sharon. Transactions of Norfolk Agricul- 
tural Society, 1850-1861, and old newspapers. 

Alfred Morton Cutler, Somerville. Historic Festival in Som- 
erville, 1898. 

William R. Cutter, Woburn. 

By-laws of Rumford Historical Association. 
Dover Historical and Natural History Society, Dover. 

Old Home Day in Dover, 1903. 
George Francis Dow, Salem. Essex Institute Hist. Collec- 
tion, July, 1904. 

Mrs. Isabelle F. French, Dedham. 

Manual on Mulberry tree and Silk culture, by Mrs. 
French's father, Jonathan Holmes Cobb, fomerly of Sharon. 

Petition to straighten North Main Street, 1831, with 25 
signatures. 

George W. Gay Estate, Sharon. 

Torch light carried by Mr. Gay in the Lincoln campaign. 
Old kitchen utensils. Set of iron skewers. 
Old papers and magazines. Godey's Lady's Book, 1841. 
National Reader, 1827, marked "Eunice L. Dewing, Sharon, 
Dec. 20th, 1827." 

The Young Orator, 1833. 
Mrs. Harriet F. Gray, Walpole. Sermon at ordination of 
Rev. Jonathan Whitaker in Sharon, Feb. 27, 1799, by Rev. Abiel 
Holmes of Cambridge. 

Charles E. Hall, Sharon. French wall paper of curious 
workmanship from the old Capen house. 
James Hewins, Medfield. 

Celebration of 250th anniversary, 1901. 
A visit to an early Homestead. A Sunday in the old meet- 
ing house. The last two written by William S. Tilden. 

Col. Edmund H. Hewins, Sharon. Old psalm tune book. 
Don Gleason Hill, Dedham. Old Dedham Days and Ways, 
1904. 

Mrs. Eliza J. Kempton, Sharon. History of Unitarian church 
ia Nantucket. 

Edward M. Lancaster, Boston. A Manual of English History. 



42 G!FTS TO THK SOCIETY 

Miss Dora M. Leonard, Sharon. 

Deed, Thayer to Johnson, 1797, Massapoag iron mine. 
Deed, Johnson to Savels, 1808, house lot on road to Massa- 
poag pond. 

Deed, Humphrey to Hixson, 1724. 
William R. Mann, Sharon. Badge of Medway Old Home 
Week, 1904. 

Medford Historical Society, Medford. Historical Register, 
published quarterly. 

Rev. Edmund F. Merriam, D. D., Sharon. 

American Baptist Missionary Union, by Dr. Merriam. 
Also pamphlets by him, on missionary subjects. 
Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket. 
Nantucket Lands and Land Owners. 
Proceedings of annual meeting, 1904. 
National Shawmut Bank, Boston. 200 year calendar. 
New England Historic Genealogical Society. Boston. 
Librarian's report, 1904. 

New York Historical Society, New York. By-laws, etc. 
John Noble, Boston. Record of Court of Assistants, 1630- 
1644. 

Miss Mary C. Nye, Marietta, Ohio Brig. Gen. Benjamin 
Tupper. 2 sketches. 

Walter Gilman Page, Boston. Register of Society of Sons of 
the Revolution, 1903. 

John G. Phillips, Sharon. 

4 tickets, Providence Street Lottery, 1761. 
3 tickets, Providence Great Bridge Lottery, 1790. 
James N. Pringle, Sharon. History of United States, by 
John H. Hinton, 1834. (vol. i.) 

Dr. Loring W. Puffer, Brockton. 

Reminiscences of Easton, in The Parish Visitor. 
Town Records of Bridgewater, entered by John Gary. 
Copy of deed from Charles Josiah, Indian Sachem, indorsed, 
"This deed is not valed nor valebel in law the lawers say." 

Three pence bill, 1778. Old $3.00 bill of Vermont State 
Bank. 



GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 43 

Receipts given by Capt. F.dward Bridge Savell to John 
Drake, Jr , and Archippus Drake, July ii, 1776, for £t^ each, 
"towards paying soldiers for the present expedition." 

Collection of old deeds and legal papers, 1 740-1816. 
Nathan P. Sanborn, Marblehead. 

Gen. John Glover and his Regiment, by Mr. Sanborn. 
By-laws of Historical Society of Marblehead, 1899. 
Sharon Club, Sharon. Souvenir programs of annual enter- 
tainments, 19021905. 

Rev. Amos N. Somers, Sharon. Photograph of Decatur & 
Alden's real estate office. Central Square. (1885.) 

Somerville Historical Society, Somerville. Historic Leaves, 
Jan. 1904. Quarterly published by the Society. 

Miss Elizabeth Tamblyn, Sharon. Old fire shovel. 
Eugene Tappan, Sharon. 

Suffolk Registers of Probate by John T. Hassam. 
Address on 250th anniversary of incorporation of Maiden, 
by Arthur H. Wellman. 

"Sharon Collections, No. i," containing the following 
pamphlets: Publications of Historical Society, No. i; History 
of First Parish, by George Willis Cooke ; Translation of Arabic 
MS, by Sidney A. Weston, Ph. D.; History of Baptist Church in 
Sharon, by Rev. Lyman Partridge ; First Anniversary celebration 
of Stoughtonham Institute, 1864 ; Reunion of Pupils of same 
Institute, 1889 ; Herbert Spencer, by Rev. John C. Kimball ; Last 
survivor of the Six Hundred, by Blair Irwin (who died in Sharon, 
Jan. 27, 1904) ; St. John's Cook Book, recipes by Sharon house- 
wives : Sharon, the healthiest town in New England, by W. B. 
Wickes, 1884 ; The Freak, a monthly paper edited by Edmund R. 
Brown, "the youngest editor in America" ; The humanitarian 
side of Religion, by Rev. John C. Kimball ; C'atalogue of books in 
Congregational Sunday School, 1899 ' '^"^ miscellaneous circulars. 
Roger Tappan. Sjundea, Finland. Finland newspapers. 
Gilbert Thompson, Washington, D. C'. 

Register of the Society of Colonial Wars, I). C, 1904. 
Historical Military Powder-Horns. 
Some U. S. topographical maps. 



44 GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 

Rufus B, Tobey, Boston. 

Photograph frame carved by a Boer prisoner at Bermuda. 

$1000, Confederate bond, 1863. 

Confederate paper money, 50 cts., JJi.oo, $5.00, $10.00, 
J20.00. 

The Gam, whaling stories, by Capt. Charles H. Robbins. 

Photograph of Edward Everett Hale, with autograph. 

The Man without a Country, by Edward Everett Hale, with 
autograph. 

The Man with the Branded Hand (Prize essay in Harwich 
high school). 

Mrs. Mary F. Randall Washburn, Worcester. 

Warrant to tax collector of Sharon, 1832. 

Promissory note, 1802, with 2 four-cents revenue stamps. 

Warrant to John F. Randall as musician in Capt. Friend 
Drake's company, 1824. 

Two accounts, 1826. John Randall's highway tax, 1801. 

Old Newspaper clipping about Roxbury, "There is not a 
house in the town that is numbered." 
Thomas F. Waters, Ipswich. 

Hotel Cluny of a New England Village. 

An Old Ipswich House. 
Thomas Weston, Newton. History of Eliot Church in New- 
ton, by Rev. Joshua W. Wellman. 
George H. Whiitemore, Sharon. 

Independent Chronicle and Unwersal Advertiser^ Boston, May 
2, 1777 (newspaper). 

Report of Medtield town officers, 1885, with valuation list. 

Report of Trustees of Public Reservations, 189 1 and 1892. 

War Revenue Tax, 1898. 

Reports of town of Sharon, 1892. 

Memorial day in Canton and Sharon, 1884, 

Essay on Man, 1832 ; Hymns for Infant minds, 181 5 ; Ser- 
mons to the rich and studious on Temperance and Exercise, 1772; 
Faith and Covenant of Baptist Church, 1838 ; Sunday School 
Class Book, 1859. 



t.of 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



45 



Appraisal of estate of Widow Judith BuUard, iSio. 
Letters of administration on estate of Benjamin Bullard, 1779. 
Woburn Public Library, Woburn. Trustees' Report, 1903. 



MEMBERSHIP OF THE SHARON HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY. 



Marcellus H. Allen, Dennett bldg. 
Arthur A. Bailey, Highland St. 
Minnie C. Bailey, Highland St. 
Emma A. Baker, Billings St. 
Abel T. Barnes, Boyden PI. 
Charles O. Barnes, Summit Av. 
Mary E. Barnes, Summit Av. 
Elizabeth M. Billings, Billings St. 
Abbie C. BilHngs, Billings St. 
Osmond J. Billings, Billings St. 
Ella F. Boehm, South Main St. 
Benjamin S. Belles, Pond St. 
John A. Bowman, Wood St. 
Winnibel Bowman, Wood St. 
Frederick V. Brittain, Glendale Rd. 
Marie Hilda Brittain, Glendale Rd. 
Charles F. Bryant, Billings St. 
Frank E. Burbank, South Pleasant St. 
Sarah C. Burbank, South Pleasant St. 
W. Winthrop Capen, So. Pleasant St. 
A. Alden Carpenter, Depot St. 
M. Imogene Carpenter, Depot St. 
Sanford L Carpenter, Billings St. 
Erminnie O. Carpenter, Billings St. 
Harriet M. Chapin, Maskwonicut St. 
Calvin G. Coggins, South Main St. 
Gertrude M. Cobb, Bay St. 
Arthur Dwight Colburn, Depot St. 
Emma P. Colburn, Depot St. 
Floyd C. Coon, Billings St. 
Guild A. Copeland, Pleasant St. 
Jennie S. Copeland, Pleasant St. 
Cadwallader Curry, Pleasant St. 
Charles S. Curtis, Pond St. 
Clara E. Curtis, Pond St. 



Lillias C. Davenport, Ames St. 
Marion A. Davenport, Ames St. 
Walter H. Delano, Billings St. 
Gertrude H. Delano, Billings St. 
Miner R. Deniing, Revere. 
George A. Dennett, North Main St. 
Elizabeth O. Dennett, North Main St. 
Charles T. Derry, South Main St. 
Almira W. Derry, South Main St. 
Daniel DeVoe, Norwood St. 
Lucy W. Dinsmore, South Main St. 
Almon J. Dyer, North Main St. 
Lizzie J. L. Dyer, North Main St. 
Amanda M. Eddy, Billings St. 
May L. Felt, Maple Av. 
Adelaide M. Fernald, North Main St. 
Carrie N. Fernald, North Main St. 
George W. Field, Moose Hill St. 
Mary Bell Field, Moose Hill St. 
Arthur P. Fiske, Pleasant St. 
Mary Adela Fiske, Pleasant St. 
W. Perry Fiske, Summit Av. 
George B. Fowler, North Main St. 
Bernice W. Fowler, North Main St. 
Robie G. Frye, North Main St. 
Edward J. Fuller, Viaduct St. 
Erastus O. Fuller, Canton St. 
Helen E. Gannett, East St. 
Louis F. Gates, Highland At. 
N. Newton Glazier, Summit Av. 
Joseph Goddard, Viaduct St. 
Faith Goddard, Viaduct St. 
Mattie H. Green, Pleasant St. 
Walter A. Griffin, Depot St. 
Charles E. Hall, South Maia St. 



46 



L?ST OF MEMBERS 



Carrie M. Hall, South Main St. 
Mary A. Hall, South Pleasant St. 
William F. Hall, Sylvan Road. 
William L. Haskel, Chestnut St. 
Agnes P. Haskel, Chestnut St. 
G. Ashley Haszard, Station St. 
Edmund D. Hewins, Highland St. 
Ora A. Hewins, Highland St. 
Edmund H. Hewins, South Main St. 
Kate M. Hewins, South Main St. 
Katharine P. Hewins. South Main St. 
Harry M. Hight, Maple Av. 
Margaret D. Hight, Maple Av. 
Arthur S. Hixson, Brook Road. 
Florence Hixson, Brook Road. 
C. Augustus Hixson, North Main St. 
Mary L. Hixson, North Main St. 
Edgar M. Hixson, Brook Road. 
Mary E. Hixson, Brook Road. 
Theodore W. Hixson, Brook Road. 
Mary F. Estey Holbrook, Cottage St. 
Albert D. Holmes, Summit Av. 
William B. Holmes, Bay St. 
Ellen J. Horace, Arlington. 
Harriet A. Johnson, Depot St. 
George Kempton, Pond c^t. 
Eliza J. Kempton, Pond St. 
John C. Kimball, Greenfield. 
Charles H. Kittredge, Depot St. 
Elizabeth F. Kittredge, Depot St. 
M. P. Woldemar Kreutz, Depot St. 
George P. Lawrence, 53 Trcmont St.. 

Boston. 
James E. Leach, South Pleasant St. 
Lizzie N. Leonard, Summit Av. 
Dora M. Leonard, Depot St. 
H. Frank Leonard. Pond St. 
Mary J. Leonard, Pond St. 
Marcus E. Lincoln, Pleasant St. 
George B. Lockwood. Walnut St. 
Frank P. Long, Cottage St. 
Carrie A. Long, Cottage St. 
Albert W. Lyon, South Main St. 
John W Mackintosh, Walnut St. 



George R. Mann, East St. 

William R. Mann. East St. 

Julia A. Mann, East St. 

Fred W. Mansfield, Belcher St. 

Sarah M. Mansfield, Belcher St. 

Henry F. Maxwell, Bay St. 

John W. McCanna, Deborah Samp- 
son St. 

John D. McLaughlin. North Main St. 

Edmund F. Merriam, North Main St. 

Percy R. Middleton, Pond St. 

Dora Middleton, Pond St. 

Eliza B. Mills, Pleasant St. 

Loring M. Monk, East St. 

Laura D. Monk, East St. 

Rodney E. Monk, East St. 

Susan G. Moody, East St. 

Bushrod Morse, Harvard St., Brook- 
line. 

Velina F. Myrick, Pleasant St. 

Herbert F. Nelson, Maple Av. 

Cyrus A. Noyes, Cottage St. 

John O'Brien, Last Foxboro St. 

Alvin D. Packard, Walnut St. 

Bernard L. Paine, Highland St. 

Carrie L- Perkins, Summit Av. 

D. Webster Pettee, Pleasant St. 
Myra F. Pettee, Pleasant St. 
John G. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Mary W. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Anna G. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Mary N. Phillips, Plea.sant St. 
Eugene C. Plimpton, So. Walpole St. 
Helen L. Plimpton, So. Walpole St. 
Amelia H. Pollard, Pond St. 

Ralph L. Pollard, Depot St. 
Bertha M. Pollard. Depot St. 
James N. Pringle. Summit Av. 
Timothy F. Quinn, South Main St. 
Elizabeth L. Quinn, South Main St. 
Benjamin Raynolds, South Main St. 
Ruth A. Raynolds, South Main St. 

E. Gilmore Richards, South Main St. 
Gertrude F. W. Richards, So. Main St 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



47 



Lydia G. Richards, Stoughton. 
Laura A. Sage, Moose Hill St. 
Alfred C. Sampson, Glendaie Road 
Carrie C. Sampson, Glendaie Road 
Catherine A. Shedd, Roxbury. 
Horace S. Shepard, Ames St. 
Anna M. Shepard, Ames St. 
A. T. Smith, Oakland Road. 
Amos N. Somers, Pond St. 
Mabel Somers, Pond St. 
Silas A. Stone, Billings St. 
Amanda Sussman, South Main St. 
Ezra Otis Swift, P. O 
Boston. 



Muriel Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Gorham M. Taylor, Chestnut St. 
Willis Thompson, North Main St. 
Minnie Hushee Thompson, N. Main 

St. 
L. Robert Tidd, Summit Av. 
Otis S. Tolman, Pond St. 
Elizabeth W. Trafton, N. Main St. 
Frank M. Trafton, North Main St. 
Ida A. Tuck, South Main St. 
Alice M. Tuck, South Main St. 
Margaret H. Walton, Moose Hill St. 
Box 2587, Benjamin Welch, South Main St. 
Dora Welch, South Main St. 



Solomon Talbot, Maskvvonicut St. Mille Louise West, Summit Av. 
Edmund H. Talbot, 27 State St., Bos- Sidney A. Weston, Summit Av. 

ton. Eliza L. White, Chestnut St. 

F. Adelaide Talbot, Canton. John B". White, Maple Av. 

Eugene Tappan, South Pleasant St. George H. Whittemore, Chestnut St. 
Crosby Tappan, South Pleasant St. Elsie A. Whittemore, Chestnut St. 

Total 192. 



APR 



PUBLICATIONS 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 3 —April, 1906 



BOSTON 

Press of H. U. II n; ii i 

76 Summer Street 

1906 



INDEX 



Review of the past Twelve Months 
Massapoag Pond Bank .... 
A Fire-Proof Historical Society Building 
List of Outings for 1906 .... 
Historical Scrap Book .... 
Gifts to the Society .... 
Officers of the Society, and Notes 
List of Members 



3 

14 
20 
24 

25 

27 

30 
30 



PUBLICATIONS 

OF THE 

SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

OF 

SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 3 — April, 1906 



'^mnfUMnf/^MJ ^/ 




■^^^^ ^^^m^^4'^ca/ ^mM-iyh 



^^ - ' 



Copyright, 1906 
By Sharon Historical Society 



REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS, 
By JOHN G. PHILLIPS, 

President of the Society. 

A review of the year, while it shows in a frank 
manner what has been done, also encourages the society 
in its efforts to do another year's work. The study of 
the work done will lead to discrimination in the choice 
of suitable work for the future. 

In closing the records of three years of continued 
growth, the Sharon Historical Society feels that it has 
passed the experimental period of life and may justly 
claim a right to enter the ranks with those which are 
looked up to, as entitled to speak with some authority. 
But this comparative maturity by no means indicates 
that its full growth has been reached or its final work 
accomplished. On the contrary, it is the work that has 
not been done, but for which the experience of the past 
serves as an inspiration, that may well be our cause for 
congratulation. 

Starting in 1903 with limited numbers and modest 
enthusiasm, our society has never been a precocious 
child to attract the wonder and at the same time the 
fears of its friends; but we feel that its devolopment 
has been, in every respect, a normal one, steady and 



4 REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS. 

sure, giving promise of a long existence and a well 
rounded character. 

While we take just satisfaction in viewing the past, 
our expectations for the coming years are even more 
deserving of interest. We have undoubtedly learned 
much that has been of assistance from the experiences 
of sister organizations. It has been our aim, not to 
imitate other societies, but to appropriate from them 
only that which seemed to us of especial value in a 
general way, while making a careful study of our own 
individual condition and environment, and marking out 
such a course as seemed best for ourselves. 

In some respects we may have pursued a somewhat 
unusual, if not altogether original, course for an 
historical society; but this experience has taught us 
that novelty is not only not incompatible with usefulness 
but may even be a potent means to that desired end. 

Having in mind the familiar adage that " All work 
and no play makes Jack a dull boy," we have adopted at 
our quarterly meetings the method of mingling exercises 
of a popular, though not inharmonious character, with 
those which indicate the serious purposes of our society; 
and the results seem to show good judgment. 

Our earlier meetings were held in the small hall of 
the town house, but of late the growing attendance has 
justified us in making use of the main hall for the quar- 
terly meetings of the past year. These meetings have 
been held in April, August, October and January. The 
times for holding these proved to be acceptable. The 
fourth Thursday in January is much better than a date 
earlier in that busy month ; the fourth Thursday in 



REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS 5 

April and in October are in settled weather and do not 
conflict with other gatherings ; and the meeting on 
the Thursday of Old Home Week is one of the best of 
the year, being very appropriate to the time. 

The meeting of April 27th, 1905, was the annual 
meeting at which the reports of the several of^cers were 
read, and the president gave a general review of the 
work of the year. Nine new members were admitted 
and the previous officers of the society were re-elected. 
Mr. Frederic Endicott, of Canton, the guest of the eve- 
ning, presented a paper giving a description of the 
shores of Massapoag, and Mrs. Mann read an account 
of life in Sharon sixty years ago, written by our vice- 
president William R. Mann. The exercises were inter- 
spersed with music ; the Concord Hymn of Emerson, 
set to original music by Mr. C. C. Stearns, who on this 
occasion played the accompaniment, was sung by a local 
quartette, and during the intermission refreshments were 
served. This meeting was of a distinctly local character. 

Quite different was the meeting of August third in 
Old Home Week. After the usual business meeting, 
at which eleven new members were admitted, his Honor 
Lieutenant-Governor Guild delivered a most entertain- 
ing and appropriate address, which was followed by an 
informal reception. During the evening there was 
singing by a picked quartette. The society invited the 
public to attend and join in the reception to the distin- 
guished guest, and the occasion was a popular event. 

The October meeting was held as appointed with 
Hon. James H. Flint, Judge of Probate Court of Nor- 
folk County, the guest of the evening, who delivered an 



6 REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS 

interesting address. A list of gifts to the society was 
read and also a record of the doings for the last quarter. 
Instrumental and vocal music was rendered. Tea was 
served during the intermission, which was followed by a 
paper by the president of the society on the origin of 
the several historic names of the town. Eight new 
members were admitted. This meeting was mainly one 
of local interest. 

At the mid-winter meeting of January 25th, 1906, 
six new members were admitted ; and after the usual 
business had been transacted, the popular exercises were 
in order. The date of this meeting happened to fall 
upon the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, and 
was appropriately celebrated as the " Burns Festival." 
Rev. Edward A.Chase of Wollaston delivered a scholarly 
address upon the life and works of the poet, and that 
bonny son of Scotland, Mr. John R. Anderson, delighted 
the audience with Burns recitations and dialect stories. 
A fine quartette sang Scotch songs. The refreshments 
consisted of tea and Scotch scones, served by yonng 
ladies clad in Scotch plaids ; and every one of the large 
audience present, including the public which was gener- 
ously invited, was an enthusiastic son or daughter of one 
or another Scottish clan for the evening. 

The town of Sharon is of ordinary historical in- 
terest, and of average size as to territory, presenting 
perhaps rather more than the usual diversity of surface, 
and geological interest and scenic beauty for eastern 
Massachusetts, with few markedly interesting features; 
but to the careful observer, much may be discovered to 
attract the attention of the student of science or of 
history. 



REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS 7 

The old abandoned iron mines and foundry sites 
which mark the chief claims to historical recognition, 
the lakes and beds of primitive lakes, the geological 
eskars and glacial hills and boulders, are an interesting 
-Study; and the ancient cellars and family grave yards, 
eloquent of the life and the succession of generations of 
our original settlers, and the forgotten paths of our 
ancestors, are all worthy of the attention of the sons and 
daughters of today. The unusual variety of forest trees 
is also worthy of notice. 

All these considerations invite the members of the 
Sharon Historical Society to take rambles from time to 
time over the domains of their own town. The Histor- 
ical Society last year conducted nine interesting out- 
ings. Such excursions are admirably fitted to inculcate 
town patriotism, as they promote appreciation and love 
for the rocks and rills and woods of the home environ- 
ment and give the opportunity of study at first hand in 
local history. Books do not teach all. 

"One impulse from a vernal wood 

May teach you more of man, 
Of moral evil and of good. 

Than all the sages can." 

On May 13th, 1905, eight persons, our two vener- 
able vice-presidents among the number, started from the 
Square and walked about a mile to the saw-mill. The 
special objects of interest were the old Savel's Tavern; 
the site of the school house, the next to the oldest in the 
village, near the corner of the lot where now stands the 
Congregational Church; the house occupied by Rev. 
Philip Curtis, the first minister of the first parish, built 



8 REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS 

about 1754; the cellar of the old Deacon Estey house; 
the site of the first school house v^^here the old men and 
the women and children gathered on June 17th, 1775, 
to watch the smoke and hear the booming of the cannon 
from the battle of Bunker Hill. 

On May 27th, a walk was taken by a party of 
twelve, who visited the old dam and the ruins of the old 
hydraulic works near the railroad station, and several 
ancient houses of interest, returning by a romantic 
path through the pines. 

The third ramble on June loth was enjoyed by 
twelve ladies and gentlemen. The party took the elec- 
tric cars to Cobb's Corner where the historical Cobb's 
Tavern was viewed. From there the walk began, past 
the beautiful grove of hemlock trees, up Bay Street to 
the old Belcher homestead, thence to Devil's Rock and 
Devil's Bridge on Massapoag Brook, where a lady of 
the party sang the song, " Meet Me by the Running 
Brook." 

Sixteen persons made up the party for the ramble 
of June 24th, through North Main, Maskwonicut, Rich- 
ards and Canton Streets. Mr. Solomon Talbot was the 
leader, who gave an interesting description of the old 
saw-mill which stood in 1737 near the present railroad 
bridge. Chestnut Tree Cemetery was then visited and 
the epitaphs on the ancient headstones deciphered. A 
stop was made at the Talbot home where refreshments 
were hospitably served and the party returned by the 
trolley cars. 

The Old Home Week outing of August 4th was 
the chief undertaking in the line of rambles, when the 



REV^IEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS 9 

Historical Society conducted a large party of members 
and guests to the ruins of the Revolutionary foundry of 
1770, situated near the Foxborough line. The trip was 
made in barges. An interesting historical paper was 
read. 

The sixth ramble on September 9th was under- 
taken part of the way on foot and partly by carriages. 
A party of twenty-one persons paid a visit to Rock 
Ridge Cemetery where are located the graves of 
Deborah Sampson and Edmund Quincy, and to the site 
of the birth place of General Benjamin Tupper, all of 
Revolutionary renown. From here the top of the ridge 
was followed through the woods a mile or more to 
Massapoag Pond. A letter from George W. Field, 
Ph. D., was read, giving a scientific account of the 
formation of this geological eskar. The return was 
made by carriages through Pond Street. 

On September 23d a party of twenty-four took a 
trip to Massapoag, and Mr. Frederic Endicott of Canton 
explained the peculiar formation of the banks at the 
north end of the pond. A sail about the pond was en- 
joyed in the launch, " Marion," and several interesting 
historical houses and sites were visited on the way home 
through Gunhouse and South Main Streets. 

On October 14th thirty-six people took a drive 
northerly to the site of the old Roebuck Tavern and 
from there over the old Post Road of Colonial days, five 
miles, to the site of the old Billings Tavern in the ex- 
treme south part of Sharon. On the way home a stop 
was made by invitation at the club house near Wolomol- 
opoag Pond. 



lO REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS 

Thirty-seven people took a walk on October 28th, 
the last ramble of the season. A visit was made to the old 
Ellis place and to the ruins of the dam and iron forge, 
across the railroad track on Beaver Hole Brook. On 
the return across the fields, once a part of the farm of 
the first minister, a pause was made at the house of the 
president of the society, where afternoon tea was served 
and a pleasant half hour passed. 

Both the quarterly meetings and the field days of 
the society are improved in a literary way by a narrative 
of the occurrence, written by a member and published 
in the town newspaper. 

As long as the interest continues in these rambles, 
it seems wise to conduct them. Last year two rambles 
a month in May, June, September and October, with 
another ramble in Old Home Week, were well patron- 
ized; and the directors have planned for the present 
year a list of eleven outings which is printed elsewhere 
in this number. All persons living on the routes taken 
in these outings are especially asked to join in the 
excursions and give to the ramblers the peculiar informa- 
tion which they possess of points of interest on the 
routes. The interest in these rambles increased very 
noticeably during the season of 1905, passing from the 
experimental stage to that of assured success. 

Volumes two and three of the Scrap Book have been 
bound during the past year. Volume four is nearing 
completion. Thus permanancy is reasonably secured 
for the books, which, although not published as the cost 
is too great, are substantially bound and ought to last 
for generations, furnishing a rich store house for future 



REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS II 

historians, as well as matter for occasional readings in 
meetings and on outings. 

We urge members and friends to investigate some 
subject of town interest and make a written report in 
the form of a contribution to the Scrap Book. Will 
members please notice that what is desired is not neces- 
sarily what they already know, but a narrative of some- 
thing desirable to be investigated and perhaps now 
quite unknown, but remaining to be investigated and 
then wTitten up. The historians work is not the 
machine work of writing from memory or copying 
merely, though that is valuable, but it is the investiga- 
tion, the search for sources of information, the compari- 
son of different accounts, and the sifting of evidence, 
and finally the logical arrangement and interesting 
manner of writing the narrative. Apart from the value 
of the result obtained will be the delight in the search 
of truth, and the pleasure in the exercise of the mental 
operations of comparison, judgment and luminous ex- 
pression in composition. 

Our society has joined the Bay State Historical 
League within the past year. This tends to the stabil- 
ity of the local society and gives a broader outlook. 
Federation has proved useful in other lines, and will no 
doubt prove so in historical lines. New England is 
peculiar in having historical societies in its small towns. 
Federation is the more necessary here to promote life 
and good work. 

In this connection, it is to be noted that the Amer- 
ican Historical Association, a highly respectable body 
incorporated by Congress, in whose printing office its 



12 REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS. 

reports are printed, holds its national meeting this next 
December in the near-by city of Providence. The zeal 
of our society should be exhibited in a considerable at- 
tendance at the meetings which cover several days ; and 
we would be glad to entertain in our homes some of the 
guests of that gathering if we can secure their good 
company. The society is indebted to our efficient Con- 
gressman, Hon. John W. Weeks, for the gift of annual 
reports of this national association containing over 
twenty-four hundred pages. 

The subjects mentioned in this paper by no means 
include all the work that our society could do. Without 
neglecting the interesting matter already begun and 
still in progress, such as enthusiasm in attendance upon 
the meetings, and participation in the historical excur- 
sions, and contribution in writing and gifts, there are 
other interesting lines of work for the future. A collec- 
tion of plans of lands, history of titles of estates such 
as an examiner of titles could compose, and abstract of 
probate proceedings at Dedham in Sharon estates from 
1793 to 1S78, for which an index of names is already 
furnished in the Scrap Book, photographs of houses in 
Sharon, copies of family registers in old Bibles, are to 
be desired. Another piece of work which the busiest 
or the idlest person can, without much trouble, furnish, 
is to inform the officers of the society of the existence 
and whereabouts of historical matter, of letters, diaries, 
account books, memoranda and relics. It is not infre- 
quently the case that some fact of importance, well- 
known to a few, is unknown to all others. 

Each member can help the society by some effort 



REVIEW OF THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS I3 

to enlist the interest of natives of Sharon residing out- 
side the town and many other non-residents who, for 
one reason or another, are connected with Sharon. 

Association with neighboring historical societies by 
the interchange of visits at the meetings has been 
thought of by the officers, but remains to be carried out. 
A simple plan to effect this association would be to in- 
vite specially to each regular meeting a delegation from 
some one kindred society and to send delegations from 
our own society, from time to time, to the meetings of 
other societies. In this way, as the clergy phrase it, we 
could do good and get good. 

The Sharon Historical Society does not exist for 
the mere purpose of work, but for the purpose of doing 
its appropriate work. A considerable share of such 
work concerns this town alone, but there is also a line of 
work in town history which is a part of national history. 
To thoroughly understand the life, character and 
achievements of the fore-father, of the soldier in the 
Colonial, Revolutionary and Civil wars, of the minister, 
the school master and the yeoman of olden time, is to 
understand in a most vital way, the history of our glori- 
ous country. 

The president desires to express indebtedness to 
the corresponding secretary for his substantial encour- 
agement in the preparation of this paper, and feels him- 
self in honor bound to recognize and publicly acknowl- 
edge, his very material assistance and contribution, 
without which, this review could not have been written. 



MASSAPOAG POND BANK. 

Bv Frederic Endicott, of Canton. 

When the town of Dorchester received the " New 
Grant beyond the Blew Hills," the most prominent top- 
ographical features of the newly acquired territory were 
Blue and Moose hills, and Ponkapoag and Massapoag 
ponds. The iron mines, several of which were near Mas- 
sapoag pond, were supposed to be very valuable. The 
lands next in value were the meadows all ready to furnish 
hay, and the cedar swamps heavily wooded with large 
trees suitable for splitting up into posts and rails. 

You will occasionally see a white cedar rail from this 
old growth, but they are now scarce. The second growth 
cedars are not nearly as good, as even fifty years of 
growth only give a soft tree without wearing qualities. 
I do not remember more than two or three of the pri- 
meval cedars, and they were cut long since. 

As a consequence of the value of these swamps, 
meadows and iron mines, the surveys and plans of them 
were carefully made and coincide very closely with sur- 
veys of the same lands made at the present time. The 
maps of the two general partitions of common landsv 
called the Twelve Divisions and the Twenty-five Divis- 
ions were necessarily more roughly made. Massapoag 
pond was situated between these two sections and is 
only roughly sketched on either of them; but several 



MASSAPOAG POND BANK. 1 5 

■of the swamps and small lots which were accurately 
surveyed and shown by plans on a much larger scale, 
adjoin the pond at its northwesterly and southeasterly 
portions. Ponkapoag and Massapoag ponds, in common 
with other great ponds (that is, natural ponds of over 
ten acres in extent), were surrounded by pond banks of 
which I shall speak later. 

In December, 1870, I made for the Revere Copper 
Company a survey of Massapoag Pond showing the line 
of the water as it then stood, and the ancient line of the 
pond at the edge of the pond bank. At this time only 
the first ripple of the real estate wave had reached its 
shores, so that the pond bank was nearly in its original 
state. There were only a few houses near the pond. 
On the east side was the Boyden house; at the north- 
east was the Lake House, and near it Mr. Otis Johnson's 
house. On the north shore were Mr. Stillman Morse's 
and two others; and, near where the Boston Ice Com- 
pany's ice-houses stood at a later time, were Mr. Warren 
M. Holmes's and the Snow house. 

The streets were mostly built upon the beach of the 
pond. In the records of the Proprietors of Common 
Lands in the New Grant, we find that Mr. John Capen, 
(and I think others,) petitioned for liberty to use the 
shores of the pond for a way from his house to the rest 
of the town. The Proprietors kindly granted his re- 
quest, although they had no rights in the matter at all, 
as the land below high water mark belonged to the 
province or state, and all above high water mark had 
already been granted to individuals. As the beach was 
dry enough to be used as a roadway, it appears likely 



l6 MASSAPOAG POND BANK. 

that the pond had at that time been drawn somewhat 
lower than its natural level. 

At the time of my survey, one of the objects was 
to get the lines of the pond bank; and from that cause 
I took much more notice of its formation than I other- 
wise should have done. Where high land came down 
close to the pond, the bank was merely pushed up 
against the hill, as is seen near the site of the Boston 
Ice Company's ice-houses, now burned down. Where 
the land adjoining the pond was low, the bank was a 
ridge or bank ten feet more or less wide at the top and 
two or three feet high, with slopes both toward the pond 
and away from it. This was the case where the road 
to the hotel passes over the pond bank at the Sandy 
beach, and also where the swamp adjoins the pond at 
its northwest corner. 

At the northeast corner of the pond the bank had 
been obliterated by the streets running from the pond 
in three directions and by the building of Mr. Morse's 
house. In 1871 the town widened the road along the 
east side of the pond, beginning the work about the 
first of November, and this obliterated nearly or quite 
all the bank on that side. From the gate house to Mr. 
MorreJl's house (then Boyden's), there was almost a 
continuous bank, sloped on both sides ; and upon the 
top of the bank were several large chestnut trees, one 
of them whose rings I counted being 128 years old. 
There were also several large hemlocks, one of them 98 
years old, and a so-called hornbeam, properly a tupelo. 
These trees were cut down, and the material composing 
the bank was used in grading the street. 



MASSAPOAG POND BANK. 1/ 

The improvements around the hotel have smoothed 
out the distinctive characteristics of the bank at that 
place, and filled in a gap which existed in the original 
bank, where in 1870 there were a dam and flume hold- 
ing back the waters of the stream which flows from the 
swamp back of the hotel. The building of the Burk- 
hardt ice-houses and railroad swept away the most in- 
teresting part of the bank, as at this point were the 
largest boulders on the borders of the pond. These 
were shattered by dualin, one of the nitroglycerine 
compounds made, I think, by Carl Dittmar. The bould- 
ers were six or eight feet high, as I recollect them, and 
composed of the peculiarly crystallized white and green- 
ish stone so abundant in the neighborhood. There have 
also been smaller changes in several places. The ques- 
tion naturally arises, — what are the causes of pond 
banks.'* They all have the same general characteristics, 
showing that they are pushed up by some mighty force. 
If there are boulders even of considerable size, they are 
pushed along to high water mark, and sand and gravel 
are thrown up at the borders of the pond. The force 
of the waves of a small pond could not move even the 
smallest of these boulders. We know that the freezing 
of water in the joints of a rock will split it to pieces, 
and that the same effect would be produced in the 
strongest cannon ; but in these cases the water is con- 
fined in every direction. Glaciers carry along every 
thing before them and deposit rocks and gravel as ter- 
minal moraines, but their motion is supposed to be due 
to the force of gravity acting on ice capable of flowing 
very slowly down hill. 



l8 MASSAPOAG POND BANK. 

Those of us who have lived within hearing of a 
large pond in winter are familiar with the booming of 
the ice in a very cold night ; and, if skaters, may have 
found by sad experience that great cracks are formed in 
the ice at such times. Passing over the pond next day 
we shall find that the water in these cracks has frozen 
solid, and the day after that we may find more cracks 
filled up in the same way, some of them perhaps cross- 
ing the first. The fissures are caused by the unequal 
contraction of the ice, some parts cooling faster than 
others. 

On a bright sunshiny day following one of these cold 
nights, if we are on the ice at the edge of the pond we 
may hear it grinding over the pebbles as it expands by 
the heat from the sun's rays. By fastening one end of a 
pole upon the shore with stones, and letting the other 
end extend out over the ice, we may perceive the 
motion of the ice under the end of the pole. This action 
of contracting, filling the cracks with ice and then ex- 
panding, keeps on as long as freezing weather lasts. 
The net expansion of the ice is equal to the sum of the 
widths of all the cracks ; and as some of these will 
measure three or four inches, the expansion is consider- 
able. As the ice sometimes attains a thickness of i8 
inches or more and lies in a uniformly flat sheet, it can 
push a very large rock before it. In this way the bould- 
ers, sand and gravel are carried along, and as the pond 
in its natural state maintained a nearly uniform level, 
the pond bank was gradually formed. 

The original bank was probably finished years be- 
fore the country was settled; but since the water has 



MASSAPOAG POND BANK. I9 

been drawn down, boulders which were before too low 
to be taken, have been caught by the ice at a lower level 
and moved along many feet. As they were carried 
along they cut a furrow in the bottom of the pond, and 
this may be seen at several places when the pond is 
down, the furrow running from the boulder towards the 
centre of the pond. 

As will be seen from the map, there were two 
breaks in the pond bank both showing that they were 
caused by a force acting from the direction of the centre 
of the pond. At the extreme southerly end of the 
pond where the old flume stood, the bank which curves 
around to the south protected the land up towards the 
swamp and made the break which is seen. Also, where 
the pond makes in towards the swamp behind the Burk- 
hardt ice-houses, there is a break at each side of the bay, 
and we find a piece of a bank with many boulders sev- 
eral hundred feet further inland. This bank still exists 
in its natural state and can be easily found. 

At the present time many natural features are dis- 
appearing, more or less rapidly. Streams are being 
taken up as water supplies; ridges or glacial moraines 
are used for filling up land or building roads, and many 
other changes are taking place. Historical societies 
have a peculiar interest in preserving a memory of those 
things that are passing away, and in this paper I have 
endeavored to record a remembrance of one of these 
minor features which has been nearly destroyed. 



A FIRE-PROOF HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
BUILDING. 

By Robert Tappan. 

In recent years many historical societies have been 
formed in New England country towns, and it is a 
matter of great concern with them where to bestow 
their goods. In some cases an old-time wooden build- 
ing is appropriated, which, while fit for such use on 
account of its antiquity, is not safe for its contents, ex- 
cept as some valuables are specially secured in safes or 
vaults. The town hall may afford accommodation, 
though town halls, like city halls, are none too large for 
usual municipal purposes; and there is the chance that 
as the needs of the town increase, the historical society 
may have leave to withdraw. Moreover, the rural town 
hall is constantly let for fairs, plays, dances and other 
assemblies, rendering it less secure from fires. 

Owning a handsome fire-proof building of its own 
would contribute to the growth and perpetuity of the 
society. Choice relics will more readily be given to the 
society when it is seen that they can be thus kept more 
safely than their owners can keep them. Such a struc- 
ture would confer distinction upon the society. While it 
would be a museum of great interest to the townspeople 
and returning sons and daughters, it would afford a 
proper place for study on the part of officers and his- 



A FIRE-PROOF BUILDING. 21 

torical students, and form a centre of interest in the 
village where it is erected. 

This historical building is wanted now, while the 
society is young and flourishing and doing good work. 
The most serious objection is the supposed cost. But 
if it can be shown that a practicable structure can be 
built for a few thousand dollars, a young society might 
take heart and get the building, doing all it could itself 
and receiving assistance from its friends outside the 
town. For those living in many an old country settle- 
ment are not as numerous as those living away from the 
old homesteads and still interested in the town's welfare 
from reasons of kinship or former residence. 

The frontispiece and plan here given are presented 
with the above statements in mind. Concrete is chosen 
as the buildins: material on account of its streno:th and 
ease of handling, and also because the entire house, 
walls and floors, may be built of it. The style is colo- 
nial, very appropriate for the use to which the building 
will be put, as it suggests at once the earlier period of 
our nation's history. The familiar Holden Chapel at 
Harvard College was in mind when this sketch was 
made, as its design made it both appropriate and possi- 
ble to be followed in a small structure of this sort. The 
white arcaded walls and red tile roof, with a background 
of foliage, would make an interesting picture in any 
country town. 

Stepping inside the building, we enter a small hall. 
On each side is a door. The one on the right leads into 
a little ofifice, big enough, however, for a desk, chair and 
a small safe. Visitors might register here. The room 



22 



A FIRE-PROOF BUILDING. 



on the left of the hall gives access to the basement by a 
small circular stairway. The walls of this room may be 
used for hanging coats and wraps. 

At the end of the front hall is the principal apart- 
ment, the reading room. This room is about i8 feet 
wide by 20 feet long. Space is arranged on three sides 
of the room for drawers, with exhibition or other cases 
above reaching to the sills of the windows. At the end 
of the reading room is a great four-feet fireplace of con- 
crete. This serves a double purpose, for besides its 
use for warmth and cheer, it affords ventilation for the 




room. In the centre a large reading table may be 
placed. There is ample wall space for pictures above 
the cases and on the front wall of the room. 

In the basement several thinsrs misfht be done. 
The whole floor space could be one large room used for 
storage of the more bulky gifts ; or it might be divided 
into three rooms, a storage room, a heating room and a 
large vault for valuables. The basement would be 
lighted, in either case, by small area windows not show- 



A FIRE-PROOF BUILDING. 2$ 

ing above grade. The entire structure is small in area, 
covering about 600 square feet. 

Below is printed an estimate of the cost of this 
building. It is interesting as it shows in a detailed way 
how thoroughly fireproof a small historical society build- 
ing could be built for a comparatively little sum. Cer- 
tain items might for economy's sake be omitted, reducing 
somewhat the cost. 

Boston, April 11, 1906. 
We estimate the cost of an Historical Society Building and 
according to sketches submitted to us to be built entirely of re- 
enforced concrete, to be the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000). 
We have estimated on the following items of work for the building : 
Excavations, footings, foundation wall, basement floor with grano- 
lithic top, areas around basement windows, entrance steps of gran- 
olithic finish, the base course with a hammered finish, the walls 
and cornice of cinder concrete with cement plaster finish, the first 
floor with granolithic surface, roof supported on steel trusses and 
having neat tile finish, furring, lathing and plastering of interior 
partitions, ceilings and inside of walls, chimney with fireplace, 
cement base around all rooms, windows and doors and circular 
stairs to basement ; the outside door to be of wood covered with 
sheet copper, panelled about as shown; the interior doors to be of 
wood covered with copper-plated sheet steel panelled to suit. We 
have not included any electric wiring, piping, heating, interior 
-decorating or other work except as mentioned above. 

Yours very truly. 
Eastern Expanded Metal Co., 

WILLIAM T. REED, Engineer. 



LIST OF OUTINGS 

IN Sharon, in 1906, to be Conducted by the Sharon 
Historical Society. 

Saturday, May 5. 
Walk to Devil's Bridge, going by way of Billings street, and 
returning by Glendale road. 

Saturday, May 19. 
Cobb's Corner and site of Lieut. Holmes' house, going and re- 
turning by electric car. 

Saturday, June 2. 
Ride to ancient house site on Old Post road, with a walk over 
"Uncle Amasa's path" at Wolomolopoag pond. 

Saturday, June 16. 
Drake cemetery and the grave of a revolutionary soldier, in 
the rear of Mansfield street, in the extreme south part of Sharon. 
Take 12.15 steam cars from Boston for East Foxborough. Walk 
one and one-half miles through Willow street to Mansfield streets 
Return by the 4.53 train from East Foxborough. 

Saturday, June 30. 
Farquhar's plants and flowers on Garden street at Sharon 
Heights. Take electric car. 

Friday, August 3. (Old Home Week.) 
Coach ride over North Main, Bay, and Mountain streets, with 
lunch on Rattle Snake hill. 

Saturday, September i. 
Ride to Biological Farm, and walk to "Robbers' Cave." 

Saturday, September 15. 
Ride around Massapoag pond. 



historical scrap book. 2$ 

Saturday, September 29. 
Old John Randall farm, and Benjamin Randall tavern on South 
Main street. Take electric car. 

Saturday, October 13. 
Drive to Viaduct street farms, with walk to old stone bridge. 

Saturday, October 27. 
Walk to Beaver brook, and through the woods to Upland road. 



On August 3, the coach ride will commence at 10 a.m.; the 
other outings will be in the afternoon of the days assigned. The 
start, generally, will be made from the Central square. A narrative 
of each ramble will be written by one of the company. All per- 
sons interested are welcome to join in the excursions. 

HISTORICAL SCRAP BOOK. 

The following is an alphabetical list, with authors' 
names appended, of the articles included in volumes 2 
and 3 of the Scrap Book. These volumes have been 
substantially bound during the year, and are in size 
about 8 J inches by 1 1 inches, and one inch thick, with a 
full index to each volume: 

Alger, Rev. William R., reminiscences of, Nath'l Seaver,Jr.,Scituate 
Aunt Lucy and Aunt Sally's ride . . Mrs. Warren Johnson 
Backward Glances . . . Mrs. Adeliza A. Winship, Lynn 

Baker homestead . P. Howard Baker and Miss Emma A. Baker 
Billings,Osmond J.,His ordination, Eugene Tappanand John F.White 
Cannon, casting of the first, Henry F. Talbot, Waterville, Kansas 
Center School Association, with picture . . John G. Phillips 

Church bells, town William R. Mann 

Epidemic of 1816 Miss Isabella Raynolds 

Gannett, Deborah Sampson, visit to Albany, 

Miss May Childs Nerney, Albany, N. Y. 

visit to Providence, Clarence S. Brigham, Providence, R. I. 

notices of reprint of her address, Newspaper clippings 



26 HISTORICAL SCRAP BOOK. 

Hewins, Amasa, sketch of life . . . Eben N. Hewins, Boston 

Copious selections from his diary, 

Arranged by Eugene Tappan 
High School examination questions, 1879. . Sidney A. Weston 

Home, Song of Cassius C. Stearns 

Kimball's Rev. John C, Good-Bye . John C. Kimball, Greenfield 

Meetings of the Society Eugene Tappan 

Massapoag pond bank . . , Frederic Endicott, Canton 
Moose and other wild animals formerly in this vicinity, 

Miss G. E. Holbrook, Sherborn 
Music in Sharon, history of . . Miss Harriet C. Billings 

Octagon house on Beach street . . . Mrs. Warren Johnson 

Old Home Week in Sharon, 1905 . . . Eugene Tappan 

Perambulation of town boundary lines . . Edward J, Fuller 

Probate cases. Sharon, 1793 to 1878 . . . Eugene Tappan 

Rambles conducted in 1905 by the society. Miss Mattie T. Eddy, 

Miss Carrie W, Fernald, William L. Haskel, Miss M. Adele 

Haszard, John G. Phillips, Eugene Tappan, George H. 

Whittemore. 
Revere bell in Sharon, picture of . . . Robert Tappan 

Revolutionary incident on the Bay road, Mrs. H. Rebecca Johnson 
Robert Raikes' Sunday School scholar in Sharon, 

Mrs. H. Rebecca Johnson 
Sabbath-day, a typical Sharon . . . John G. Phillips 

School, on my way to . . Mrs. F. Adelaide Talbot, Canton 
Sewing circle at the parsonage . . Mrs. Catherine A. Shedd 
Sharon artillery company, roster of, Samuel Dalton, Adjutant General 

the best town to live in . . . William B. Wickes 

early history of . 

hydraulic company 

rich in historic interest . , 

spring ...... 

Smith, John, in Sharon .... 

Social life in Sharon, 1840 to 1850 . 
Stoughtonham Furnace .... 



Solomon Talbot 
William B. Wickes 
Frank E. Burbank 
William L. Haskel 
Newspaper clipping 
William R. Mann 
Solomon Talbot 
Stoughtonham Institute, history of, Miss Elmira S. Winship, Lynn 



GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY. 2/ 

Sunday in Sharon, June 30, 1889 .... Elia Leslie 

Tax, ministerial, with list of persons taxed . Eugene Tappan 

Temperance in Sharon, history of . . Mrs. Agnes P. Haskel 
Tomb, the village ...... John G. Phillips 

Tupper, Benjamin. Letter from his granddaughter. 

Miss Mary C. Nye, Marietta, Ohio 
Tupper, Mrs. Remember .... Solomon Talbot 

Wickes, William B. boyhood of. By his sister, 

Mrs. L. Whiting, Westwood 

GIFTS TO THE SHARON HISTORICAL SO- 
CIETY DURING THE YEAR 1905-6. 

S. Warren Bullard. Fowling piece used by him for 61 years. 

Mrs. O. a. Cheney, Natick, Package of old Morse deeds. Com- 
mission to Ezra Morse, Jr., as captain of 3d foot company in 
Dedham of ist regiment of militia, 1745. Review of first 
fourteen years of South Natick Historical Society, 1884. Natick 
manual. 

Congressional Library, Washington. Report of librarian, 1905. 

George Willis Cooke, Wakefield. History of the Clapboard Trees, 
or third parish in Dedham. [Westwood.] 

Charles S. Curtis. Programme of rhetorical exercises of Stough- 
tonham Institute, March 28, 187 1. Subscription list to Sharon 
library association, 1857, with constitution and by-laws. Ser- 
mon against duelling, by Lyman Beecher. 

Rev. Miner R. Deming, Revere. Boston Institute Seashore Messen- 
ger, with picture of new building at Massapoag pond. 

Edward Denham, New Bedford. Old Dartmouth Historical sketches, 
Nos. I to 12, 1903 to 1905. 

Arthur P. Fiske. Money draft, dated July 23. 1764, accepted by 
John Hancock. New York Herald, revolutionary extra edition, 
April 19, 1875. Boston, a souvenir paper, September 17, 1880. 

Albert A. Folsom, Boston. Orderly book of Jeremiah Fogg at 
the siege of Boston. 

RoBiE G. Frye. Manila Cable News. 2 copies of Philippine 
newspaper. 



28 GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY. 

Vernon Gould, M. D., Rochester, Indiana. The original copy of 
declaration of independence, read by the minister in the church, 
and copied in the town records, 1776. Autographs of several 
governors. 

Eben N. Hewins, Boston. Framed photograph of "Uncle Amasa's 
Path" at Wolomolopoag pond. 

Col. Edmund Hart Hewins. Elements of War, by Isaac Maltby, 
1813. Geography made easy, by Jedidiah Morse, 1804. Amer- 
ican first class book, by John Pierpont, 1831. Writings of 
Miss Fanny Woodbury, 181 5. Cradle belonging for successive 
generations to the Hewins family. 

Miss Louisa Hewins, Boston. Card of Amasa Hewins, portrait 
painter. 

Mrs. Elizabeth B. Hinckley, Milton. Framed sketch of Blind 
Ellis and his house, [Edward Ellis, Sharon,] by Thomas Hinck- 
ley, her husband. 

Richard C. Humphreys, Boston. Dorchester celebration, 1889. 
Dorchester Day, 1905. Historical tablets in first church in 
Boston. Historical sketch of Norfolk Conference of Unitarian 
churches, 1900. 

Ipswich Historical Society. Publications XIV, containing re- 
print of "The Simple Cobler of Aggawam." 

Mrs. Louisa Jones, Stoughton. Piece of cotton cloth printed in 
colors by Benjamin Hewins about 1773. Mounted and framed 
by Mr. and Mrs. George Kempton. 

Mrs. Eliza J. Kempton. Copy of "Annals of Sharon" sent to 
Sharon in 1861 by Dr. Vernon Gould. Reprint of Boston 
Gazette^ containing account of Boston Massacre. 

Lincoln N. Kinnicutt, Worcester. Indian names of places in 
Worcester County, 1905. 

Medford Historical Society; Historical Register (a quarterly). 

LoRiNG M. Monk. Newspaper clipping, Robert Burns. 

Nantucket Historical Association. Proceedings of annual 
meeting, 1905. 

New York Historical Society. Report for 1904, 

John Noble, Boston. Record of Court of Assistants, 1 673-1 692. 



GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY. 29 

Arthur W. Peirce, Franklin. Program of bi-centennial of Benja- 
min Franklin's birth. Souvenir number of Franklin Sentinel. 

Miss Sarah E. Pettee, East Walpale. Framed photograph of the 
Fales house in East Walpole in which the peace ball was held 
at the close of the revolution. Framed by Mr. and Mrs. 
George Kempton. 

John G. Phillips. Plan of land [Curtis farm] in Sharon formerly 
owned by the Congregational Church. Bird's-eye view of 
Sharon. 

Charles F. Pidgin, Boston. Aaron Burr Memorial, 1903. 

Dr. Loring W. Puffer, Brockton. The New Yorker (Greeley's 
newspaper), 1837. The National Gazette and Literary Register. 
Philadelphia, 1835. Deed given by Zebediah Kinsley of 
Easton, 1772. Old printing of rhymed will of Mathew Abbey, 
janitor at Harvard, and Yale janitor's proposal to the widow. 

Benjamin Raynolds. Sharon tax lists. U.S. taxes. Impeachment 
of Judge James Prescott, 182 1. Plan of Henry Flint's land. 

Miss Isabella Raynolds. Abiel Holmes's sermon at ordination of 
Rev, Jonathan Whitaker in Sharon, 1799. Ordination in 
Stoughton with right hand of fellowship by Rev. Philip Curtis 
of Sharon, 1792. A lot of printed sermons and addresses. 
Oath book kept by Benjamin Raynolds. 

State Historical Society of Missouri. Proceedings of annual 
meeting, 1903. Biennial report, 1904. Catalogue of publica- 
tions of Missouri authors. 

Eugene Tappan. Bound volume of Boston Evening Transcript 
(notes and queries, and genealogical notes). 

Robert Tappan. Old etching on painted glass made with the 
point of a pin. 

William S. Tilden, Medfield. Ye Fayerbanke Historical^ Nov. 1904. 

RuFUS B. ToBEY, Boston. Pine board from North Carolina. Petri- 
fied wood. Civil-war exchange certificate ($1.00). Writs and 
officer's returns, Thomas Sweetser vs. Supply Dean, 1783, and 
Samuel Nutting vs. Ebenezer Howard, 1773. Tobey Geneal- 
ogy (limited edition). Twelfth report of Boston Floating 
Hospital, 1906. 



30 



OFFICERS AND LIST OF MEMBERS. 



John W. Weeks, M. C, Washington. Reports of American His- 
torical Association, 1903, 1904. 

Westborough Historical Society. Story of the cotton gin, by- 
Edward Craig Bates, 1S99. 

Officers of the Sharon Historical Society, 1905=6. 

President, John G. Phillips. 

Vice-Presidents, Solomon Talbot, William R. Mann, D. Webster Pettee^ 

Recording Secretary, George H. Whittemore. 

Corresponding Secretary, Eugene Tappan. 

Treasurer, Arthur D. Colburn. 

Custodian, Loring M. Monk. 

Auditor, John A. Bowman. 

Additional Directors, Edmund H. Hewins, Timothy F. Quinn, Amanda M. 

Eddy, Emma A. Baker. 

The board of directors consists of the president, secretaries, treasurer, 
custodian and the four additional directors. 

The next four quarterly meetings of the society will be held in Sharon town 
hall on the evenings of August 2 and October 25, 1906, January 31 and April 25 
1907. 

Mr. W. A. Butterfield, bookseller, 59 Bromfield St., Boston, is the authorized 
selling agent of the Society's reprint of Mrs. Deborah Sampson Gannett's 
address delivered by her in various places in 1802. The reprint is neatly bound 
and sells at 75 cents a copy. 

MEMBERSHIP OF THE SHARON HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY. 



Marcellus H. Allen, South Main St. 
Arthur A. Bailey, Highland St. 
Minnie C. Bailey, Highland St. 
Emma A. Baker, Billings St. 
Abel T. Barnes, Boyden PI. 
Cynthia Bates, Upland Road. 
William H. Bense, Canton. 
Elinor M. Bense, Canton. 
Abbie C. Billings, Worcester. 
Osmond J. Billings, Worcester. 
Ella F. Boehm, South Main St. 
Abner H. Bowman, Station St. 
Kate E. Bowman, Statio« St. 
John A. Bowman, Edgewood Road. 
Winnibel Bowman, Edgewood Road. 
Thomas W. Bradshaw, Upland Road. 



Frederick V. Brittain, Glendale Road. 
Marie Hilda Brittain, Glendale Road. 
Charles F. Bryant, Billings St. 
Frank E. Burbank, South Pleasant St. 
Sarah C. Burbank, South Pleasant St. 
W. Winthrop Capen, South Pleasant St» 
A. Alden Carpenter, Upland Road. 
M. Imogene Carpenter, Upland Road. 
Sanford I Carpenter, Billings St. 
Erminnie O. Carpenter, Billings St. 
Harriet M, Chapin, Maskwonicut St. 
Calvin G. Coggins, South Main St. 
Gertrude M. Cobb, Bay St. 
Arthur Dwight Colburn, Depot St. 
Emma P. Colburn, Depot St. 
Floyd C. Coon, Billings St. 



LIST OF MEMBERS. 



31 



■Guild A. Copeland, Boston. 
Jennie S. Copeland, Boston. 
Cadwallader Curry, Pleasant St. 
Charles S. Curtis, Pond St. 
Clara E. Curtis, Pond St. 
Lillias C. Davenport, Ames St. 
Marion A. Davenport, Ames St. 
Walter H. Delano, Billings St. 
Gertrude H. Delano, Billings. 
Miner R. Deming, Revere. 
George A. Dennett, North Main St. 
Elizabeth O. Dennett, North Main St. 
Charles T. Derry, Washington PI. 
Almira W. Derry, Washington PI. 
Daniel DeVoe, Norwood St. 
Lucy W. Dinsmore, South Main St. 
James M'E. Drake, Upland "Road. 
Maria Upham Drake, Upland Road. 
Dorothy Drake, Upland Road. 
Almon J. Dyer, North Main St. 
Lizzie J. L. Dyer, North Main St. 
Amanda M. Eddy, Billings St. 
May L. Felt, Maple Av. 
Adelaide M. Fernald, North Main St. 
Carrie W. Fernald, North Main St. 
George W. Field, Moose Hill St. 
Mary Bell Field, Moose Hill St. 
Arthur P. Fiske, Pleasant St. 
Mary Adela Fiske, Pleasant St. 
W. Perry Fiske, Summit Av. 
George B. Fowler, North Main St. 
Bernice W. Fowler, North Main St. 
Robie G. Frye, North Main St. 
Edward J. Fuller, Viaduct St. 
Erastus O. Fuller, Canton St. 
Helen E. Gannett, East St. 
Louis F. Gates, Highland Av. 
Lillian C. George, Scituate. 
Mary F. Giberson, Belcher St. 
N. Newton Glazier, Summit Av. 
Joseph Goddard Viadnct St. 
Faith Goddard, Viaduct St. 
Mattie H. Green, Pleasant St. 
Walter A. Griffin, Everett St. 
Charles E. Hall, South Main St. 
Carrie M. Hall, South Main St. 
Mary A. Hall, South Pleasant St. 
William F. Hall, Sylvan Road. 
William L. Haskel, Chestnut St. 
Agnes P. Haskel, Chestnut St. 
G. Ashley Haszard, Station St. 
Eben N.Hewins,85 Francis St.,Roxbury, 
Edmund D. Hewins, Highland St. 
Ora A. Hewins, Highland St. 



Edmund Hart Hewins, South Main St. 

Kate M. Hewins, South Main St. 

Katharine P. Hewins, South Main St. 

Louisa Hewins, 4 Hamilton PL, Boston. 

Martha M. Hewins, Norwood. 

Harry M. Hight, Maple Av. 

Margaret D. Hight, Maple Av. 

Arthur S. Hixson, Brook Road. 

Florence Hixson, Brook Road. 

C. Augustus Hixson, North Main St. 

Mary L. Hixson, North Main St. 

Edgar M. Hixson, Brook Road. 

Mary E. Hixson, Brook Road. 

Theodore W. Hixson, Brook Road. 

Albert D. Holmes, Auburn Ct., Brook- 
line. 

William B. Holmes, Bay St. 

Ellen J. Horace, 32 Longwood Av., 
Brookline. 

C. Elbert Howard, Mansfield St. 

Harriet A. Johnson, Depot St. 

Louisa Jones, Stoughton. 

George Kempton, Pond St. 

Eliza J. Kempton, Pond St. 

John C. Kimball, Greenfield. 

Charles H. Kittredge, Upland Road. 

Elizabeth F. Kittredge, Upland Road. 

Arthur C. Kollock, 12 Equitable Bldg., 
Boston. 

M. P. Woldemar Kreutz, off Depot St. 

George P. Lawrence, 53 fremont St., 
Boston. 

James E. Leach, Boston. 

Lizzie N. Leonard, Summit Av. 

Dora M. Leonard, Depot Street. 

H. Frank Leonatd, Pond St. 

Mary J. Leonard, Pond St. 

Marcus E. Lincoln, Pleasant St. 

Frank P. Long, Cottage St. 

Carrie A. Long, Cottage St. 

Albert W. Lyon, Boston. 

John W. Mackintosh, Walnut St. 

William R. Mann, East St. 

Julia A. Mann, East St. 

Fred W. Mansfield, Belcher St. 

Sarah M. Mansfield, Belcher St. 

Nelson L. Martin, Viaduct St. 

Mary E. Martin, Viaduct St. 

Henry F. Maxwell, Rindge, N. H. 

John W. McCanna, Deborah Sampson 
St. 

John D. McLaughlin, Boston. 

Edmund F. Merriam, North Main St. 

Percy R. Middleton, Pond St. 



32 



LIST OF MEMBERS. 



Dora Middleton, Pond St. 
Eliza B. Mills, South Main St. 
Loring M. Monk, East St. 
Laura D. Monk, East St. 
Rodney E. Monk, East St. 
Susan G. Moody, East St. 



Elmer B. Shaw, Brook Road. 
Maud E. Shaw, Brook Road. 
Catherine A. Shedd, Roxbury. 
Horace S. Shepard, Ames St. 
Anna M. Shepard, Ames St. 
Willis A. Shepherd, Oakland Road. 



Bushrod Morse, Harvard St.,Brookline. Alice M. Shepherd, Oakland Road. 
Velina F. Myrick, Pleasant St. A. T. Smith, Oakland Road. 

Herbert F. Nelson, North Main St. Jennie P. Snow, North Main St. 

Cyrus A. Noyes, Cottage St. Fred D. Stanley, Pleasant St. 

John O'Brien, East Foxborough St. Isabella H. Stanley, Pleasant St. 
Mary A. O'Brien, East Foxborough St. Silas A. Stone, Billings St. 
Gertrude G. O'Brien, East Foxborough Amanda Sussman, South Main St. 



St. 
Alvin D. Packard, Walnut St. 
Bernard L. Paine, Highland St. 
Carrie L. Perkins, Summit Av. 

D. Webster Pettee, Pleasant St. 
Myra F. Pettee, Pleasant St. 
John G. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Mary W. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Mary N. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Anna G. Phillips, Pleasant St. 
Amelia H. Pollard, Pond St. 
Ralph L. Pollard, Depot St. 
Bertha M. Pollard, Depot St. 
James N. Pringle, Billings St. 
Thomas S. Prouty, Chestnut St. 
Timothy F. Quinn, South Main St. 
Elizabeth L. Quinn, South Main St. 
Benjamin Raynolds, South Main St. 
Ruth A. Raynolds, South Main St. 
Isabella Raynolda, South Main St. 
B. Frank Rhoades, County St. 
Bessie F. Rhodes, County St. 

E. Gilmore Richards, South Main St. 



Ezra Otis Swift, Box 2587, Boston. 
Solomon Talbot, Maskwonicut St. 
Henry F. Talbot, Waterville, Kansas. 
Edmund H. Talbot, 35 Congress St.,. 

Boston. 
F. Adelaide Talbot, Canton. 
Eugene Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Crosby Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Muriel Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Robert Tappan, South Pleasant St. 
Willis Thompson, Summit Av. 
Minnie Bnshee Thompson, Summit At^ 
L. Robert Tidd, Summit Av. 
Julia F. Tidd, Summit Av. 
Otis S. Tolman, Pond St. 
Elizabeth W. Trafton, North Main St. 
Frank M. Trafton, North Main St. 
Ida A. Tuck, South Main St. 
Alice M. Tuck, South Main St. 
Margaret H. Walton, Moose Hill St. 
Benjamin Welch, South Main St. 
Dora Welch. South Main St. 
Sidney A. Weston, Maple Av. 



Gertrude F.W.Richards.South Main St. Mille Louise Weston, Maple Av. 



Lydia G. Richards, Stoughton. 
Mary T. Safford, Pond St. 
Laura A. Sage, South Main St. 
Alfred C. Sampson, Glendale Road. 
Carrie C. Sampson, Glendale Road. 



Eliza L. White, Chestnut St. 
John F. White, Maple Av. 
George H. Whittemore, Chestnut St- 
Elsie A. Whittemore, Chestnut St. 
Eva C. Woodbridge, Billings St. 



Total, 217. 



PUBLICATIONS 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 4 — April, 1907 



BOSTON 

Press or H . M . H i r, ii r 

76 Summer Street 

1907 



INDEX 



Virginia Folk lore About George Washington 

Work of the Society 

List of Outings for 1907 . 

Historical Scrap Book 

Gifts to the Society 

Officers of the Society 

List of Members . . . '. 



iingtOn 


3 




23 




30 




31 




32 




35 




35 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 
From TrunibuU's paintings owned by the Yale Schoo 
'' Fine Arts, reproduced by Randall of Hartford. 



PUBLICATIONS 

OK THE 

SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

OF 

SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 4 — April, 1907 



BOSTON 

Press of H. M. Hight 

76 Summer Street 

1907 



USRARY of CONGRESS 
Two C»oles Received 
uiAY B 1907 
A Copynght Ertry 

GLASS 4 XXcNo 

/yrj t ^ 



Copyright, 1907 
Bv Sharon Histokicai, Society 



VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE ABOUT GEORGE 
WASHINGTON. 

BY JOHN SARGENT WISE OK NEW YORK CITY. 

The following address was delivered by Capt. John S. Wise 
iDefore the Sharon Historical Society, at its celebration in Sharon, 
February 22, 1907, of the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary 
of the birth of Washington. Capt. Wise is the well known author 
of "The End of an Era" and "Recollections of Thirteen Presi- 
dents." As a lover of all sections of the land, and having an 
intimate knowledge of his native state of Virginia and her regard 
for Washington, with skill as an author and speaker and a special 
interest in the theme, Capt. Wise adds to the common knowledge 
of the subject a welcome exhibition of the attitude towards Wash- 
ington of those who dwell on the soil where he lived and died. 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 

It is a great pleasure, I assure you, to meet and 
greet the people of Massachusetts on the anniversary of 
the birth of the great and good man whose name and 
fame are so identified with her early career. Massachu- 
setts began the bloody work of the Revolution before 
her sisters. Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill pre- 
ceded the appointment of a commander-in-chief of the 
forces of the united colonies. Washington's prominence 
as a national military character began when he took 
command of the army at Cambridge; and throughout 



4 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

the whole struggle he found his warmest and most 
affectionate support among the northern generals, 
Greene of Rhode Island, the two Putnams, Lincoln and 
others, even when officers from his own section failed 
him or were in a cabal for his overthrow. No wonder 
then that this day tends to revive the long and traditional 
friendship between Massachusetts and Virginia — a 
friendship which has ever been strong save when it was 
interrupted by the episode of civil war, and which is 
today revived by the determination of the people of 
both these commonwealths that their dear old states 
shall not become mere weak instruments for the con- 
venient enforcement of the universal mandates of a 
grreat centralized orovernment. 

Considering the character of the address I should 
make to the citizens of Sharon to-night, I came to the 
conclusion that an attempt to deliver an elaborate ora- 
tion must result disastrously among a people so familiar 
with American eloquence on the subject of George 
Washington. For over a hundred years his life and 
career have been an open book to the civilized world. 
He has been the inspiration and great examplar of 
youth, and the subject of the loftiest flights of oratory 
at home and abroad. Even the names of those who 
have made him the subject of their eloquence would fill 
volumes. The orations of Webster, Everett and Win- 
throp of your own state are unsurpassed. It was my 
inestimable|:-privilege to hear the two latter, and I would 
not dare to tempt their people to a contrast of an oration 
of mine with theirs. 

I have therefore felt that I may more effectively 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON 



approach you, not with a set speech with rounded 
periods, but in simple conversational way repeating to 
you some of the folk-lore of his fellow citizens in the 
state where he was born and lived and died. Those 
people knew him and loved him and honored and 
mourned him as did no others on earth. The task is 
peculiarly grateful to me for I am a descendant of one 
of his most devoted soldiers, was reared in a family 
where veneration of Washington was placed next to 
faith in God, and have but recently, by the strange 
mutations of life and by the death of a great number 
entitled ahead of me, become entitled to membership in 
the Society of Cincinnati of which he was the founder. 

Washington has been dead over a century. Precious 
as are his name and character and deeds to the whole 
country, he is more or less an idealized abstraction to 
the people at large outside of his native State, but is 
still a concrete entity to the older class of Virginians, 
and, to a less degree possibly, to her rising generation. 

No man ever left every feature of his personality, 
every incident in his long public and private career 
more indelibly impressed upon the people among whom 
he lived. He died childless, it is true. To him this 
was a bitter disappointment, but among Virginians we 
are disposed to be proud of the fact that Nature, despair- 
ing of reproducing so matchless a type, broke the die in 
which he was cast, and left his fame unmarred by any 
injurious effects of inferior progeny. The name, too, is 
almost extinct in the old State, having migrated to the 
North, South and West. I recall but one Washington 
family still resident in Virginia, and they are distant 



VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 



collaterals. But his collateral kindred, bearing other 
family names, and the descendants of his adopted chil- 
dren, the Custis offspring of his wife, are numerous, and 
among them are preserved all the things pertaining to 
him not in public places. In one way or another, nearly 
every prominent family in the State is connected with 
him, or feels identified with him by some service or cir- 
cumstance in the life of its forbears. For example: I 
have no blood relationship to the Washingtons, but my 
grandmother, through John Custis of Arlington, was 
cousin of the two adopted Custis children of Washing- 
ton, and her father was a field-ofificer under his command 
at Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge and Mon- 
mouth. Those circumstances alone make people "near 
kin" in Virginia. His sister Betty, who married Fielding 
Lewis, was the most prolific of his family, and, to this 
day, Piedmont and Tide-water and the Valley of Vir- 
ginia are filled with her descendants, the Lewises and 
Taylors and the rest of them, all preserving and cher- 
ishing the minutest incidents of his great life, with the 
charm peculiar to oral tradition. But, if Washington 
had left no kinsfolk, it would be the same. 

His public career began at such an early age that, 
although he died comparatively young, it really extended 
over a period of fifty years, and led him into every sec- 
tion of the Commonwealth which had then been settled. 
The result was that his personal acquaintance extended 
not only to the men of prominence but to men of all 
stations, and to their families; for in the days when men 
traveled about they lodged at private houses. 

It requires an effort of memory to realize how 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON 



young he was when he first became a pubHc character 
in Virginia, We are so accustomed to think of him as 
the mature or venerable man depicted as the father of 
his Country, He was born in 1732. In 1750 he was not 
only doing work as a surveyor for the immigrant Lord 
Fairfax, but a work that made him acquainted with every 
settler in that section, and they with him. Lord Fairfax 
became very fond of him. With all his sedateness and 
exterior calm, Washington, both as boy and man, loved 
life, was full of manly ardor, and passionately fond of 
field sports. These tastes he never indulged until his 
work was done, but the way he went at them in leisure 
moments endeared him to Lord Fairfax, who found him 
not only an ardent and bold fox-hunter, but a congenial 
and respectful young companion at his solitary home. 
No doubt this constant companionship with an English 
gentleman at the most plastic period of his youth did 
more to fix the manners and bearing of Washington, for 
which he was so distinguished throughout life, than 
anything else. For, while the Washingtons were just 
as good as anybody else in Virginia, it was a period of 
very simple living throughout the Colony ; and the 
dignity and reserve of Washington in after life were so 
exceptional as to be constantly remarked upon in the 
community, and sometimes he was adversely criticized 
for manners above those of the masses, 

Washington was decidedly above the average of 
his Colonial associates, and even perhaps above the other 
members of his own family in his observance of social 
etiquette. The tradition runs that his fine old mother 
smoked a pipe, and refused to visit him on a certain 



a VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

occasion because he regarded this habit as beneath the 
dignity of his home. The story is probably true, for I 
remember seeing the widow of a Revolutionary General, 
as late as 1851, sitting by her fire in a split-bottomed 
chair, on a rag carpet, with a lawn cap and a kerchief 
crossed upon her breast, smoking her pipe with great 
satisfaction, with no thought that it was "infra dig."; and 
she was as high-bred a dame as any of them, had been 
a reigning beauty in her day, and had no doubt trod a 
minuet with Washington. 

Father inherited his veneration for Washington 
and eagerly gathered and remembered every piece of 
folk-lore he heard. His love was transmitted undimin- 
ished to our whole family, and we are provincial or 
bigoted enough, or whatever you may choose to call it, 
to think even in this day that George Washington was 
the greatest man that ever lived. As General Von 
Moltke seems to have thought likewise, we may be right 
after all. Of course we know what has been written 
about him in books, but the things we know better are 
those which we have heard by oral tradition, through 
reliable mediums, during the course of our lives, from 
hearing them at the family fire-side until they were as 
familiar to us as the Lord's Prayer and the Creed and 
the Ten Commandments; things vastly more entertain- 
ing than what books contain, often too insignificant for 
historical record, yet frequently shedding a flood of 
light on character and making a lasting impression on 
memory, focusing up to us, as no book can do, the 
figures of the past. 

When Braddock came, Washington was greeted as 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON 9 

a volunteer aide to accompany him on his expedition to 
Fort Duquesne. Braddock was a high Hver. The story is 
told concerning him that he always insisted that twoof his 
aides should be invited to any dinner he attended, because 
he expected to require their assistance to reach his quar- 
ters after the festivities. Washington was not a total ab- 
stinence man. Throughout life he was not averse to a 
social glass of wine with friends, but he was prudent 
and abstemious, with little taste for the indulgences and 
frivolity of his young companions on the staff. They 
were society men and dandies of the highest British 
circles. The Headquarters baggage of Braddock was 
more than that of a Continental Regiment ten years 
later. The contrast between the simple outfit of Wash- 
ington and any one of these young British of^cers was 
most striking. So much so indeed that, with a person 
less dignified, they would have been disposed to look 
down upon him. Washington appreciated the maxim of 
"doing like the Romans in Rome," and he ordered a lot 
of finery from England, but it never came in time to 
use it on the staff. One thing he had, and that he 
always had throughout his life. It is part of a true 
Virginian's necessary outfit. That was a good horse. 
No man loved a good horse or was a better judge of 
him than Washington. He was so young that Braddock 
paid little attention to his wise advice at first. Indeed 
the old campaigner not only ignored Washington's 
warnings, but was disposed to resent them. Meanwhile, 
by his enterprise, his courtesy, and his prompt attention 
to every duty, Washington made friends of the members 
of the staff; friends who kept up correspondence with 



lO VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 



him until the Revolutionary War, and even during the 
war sent him messages of affection and respect through 
the lines. When it was too late Braddock himself was 
brought to confess the wisdom of Washington's advice, 
to declare that he had been conspicuously reckless on 
the battle-field, and that Washington had done more 
than any officer on the field to save the remnant of the 
British forces. But for him the Massacre would have 
been complete. He took charge of the retreat and of 
the wounded General, and, when Braddock died a few 
days later, thanks of the most touching kind to Wash- 
ington for his care and tenderness were among his last 
utterances. 

Another instance of the innate loyalty to friendship 
in Washington's temperament is found in his treatment 
of Bryan Fairfax while the Revolutionary War was in 
progress. Fairfax was a loyalist. He was perfectly 
sincere in believing that in the pending crisis his allegi- 
ance was due to the King. The feeling against all such 
was very intense and the disposition of the authorities 
was to oppress and banish Fairfax. Washington knew 
him, had faith in him and great respect for him. He 
gave him protection papers and stood by him, upon his 
simple assurance that he would be neutral. Fairfax re- 
paid him with devoted friendship and perfect fidelity to 
his pledges. 

No man ever lived who possessed to a greater de- 
gree the quality of making devoted personal friends, 
than did Washington. This old forbear of mine of 
whom I have spoken was a striking instance of the de- 
votion which Washington inspired. He survived until 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON II 

182 I. My father was born in 1806. My father's mother, 
died in 181 2, and my grandfather Wise in the following 
year, so that my orphaned father spent much of his boy- 
hood in the home of General John Cropper, his maternal 
grandfather, at "Bowman's Folly," the family seat in 
Accomac County, Virginia, It is on the seaside near 
Drummondstown, the County seat. 

In the autumn of 1776 John Cropper, aged nine- 
teen, marched from Accomac to Philadelphia, as Captain 
of a company in the 9th Virginia Regiment (Col. Flem- 
ing) on Continental establishment to join Washington's 
Army. He had been married but six weeks to Margaret 
Pettitt, a granddaughter of John Custis, of Arlington, 
and a cousin of General Washington's adopted children. 
Cropper never saw^ his wife again until some time in 
1778, when her first child, Sarah Corbin Cropper, my 
grandmother, was over a year old. Few of us stretch 
patriotism that far nowadays. During his absence he 
had fought under Washington at Brandywine and Ger- 
mantown, had passed the winter in camp at Valley 
Forge and fought at Monmouth. He had received suc- 
cessive promotions as Major of 7th Virginia and as 
Lt.-Col. of iith Virginia (Daniel Morgan's) Regiment. 
Morgan was serving in the South with a detached force 
and Cropper commanded his regiment. Those two 
years were the cream of that boy's life. Washington 
was his God. His whole career as a soldier had been 
under Washington's eye. True it was a career of de- 
feats and suffering, but what else draws men so near 
together or makes them know each other so well ? 

The winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge brought 



12 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

Washington into more intimate relations with his offi- 
cers than at any other period of his career. The Army 
grouped about those hills was like a great family of 
poor people hugging up close to each other to keep 
warm. Washington was more like a father to them 
than a general. Every day he was among the men 
begging them to preserve their beef hides to make hut- 
roofs, and hoofs and horns to make combs, and tallow to 
make itch-ointment, and doing a thousand other things 
showing his concern for others. 

The orderly book, still preserved, reads like the 
record of a careful guardian over his improvident wards. 
What infinite care and solicitude, down to the minutest 
details, it all displays. With him was his pet, young 
Lafayette, now a Division Commander, and Cropper's 
Brigade was under him. I have the original order of 
Lafayette assigning Col. Crooper (as he wrote it) to 
command the iith Regiment, and a note in his own 
hand-writing, written on thin French letter paper, tell- 
ing Col. "Crooper" he would be over the following day 
to talk about "those coats for the men." These things 
bring us pretty close to the old fellows, do they not ? 
Then came Baron Steuben. 

Think of it! A distinguished soldier in European 
Armies. An aide-de-camp on the Staff of Frederick 
the Great. What must have been his impressions of 
that mob ? Washington was quick to utilize his partic- 
ular talent for organization. He could not have come 
at a better time or place. He designated him Inspector 
General and the old Baron entered cheerfully on the 
task of drilling an Army that never had been drilled. 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON I3 

He began by calling for details of men from all the 
commands, and these he undertook to drill until they 
were fit to be drill-masters of their comrades. The 
scenes that followed were immense. The Baron could 
not speak or understand English, and the men could not 
speak or understand French or German. Neither could 
understand or explain to the other, and the result was 
indescribably ludicrous. Many a day have 1 heard my 
father repeat Cropper's descriptions of all this and the 
polyglot swearing of the Baron Steuben. A New York 
officer acted a sthe Baron's interpreter. Some times 
the old fellow would lose his temper and explode "Sacre 
G-t D-n Mein Gott. Ach ! mein friend Mon bon Ami. 
Tell them what they do not understand. Tell me what 
they, blockheads, say." But great good came from it 
all, and the Army was drilled as never before. It was 
doubtless through the Baron that Washington received 
the sword of Frederick the Great, the sword which a 
hundred years later John Brown "appropriated" from 
the possession of Col. Lewis Washington when he made 
his famous raid on Harper's Ferry. 

The Virginians were encamped on the hill just 
above Washington's headquarters. Not far from them 
were the Pennsylvanians commanded by General Cad- 
walader who shot General Conway in a duel for speak- 
ing disrespectfully of Washington. Cropper loved 
Cadwalader for that and deeply regretted that the job 
had not fallen to his lot. And there with him, as a 
Captain in his regiment, and his devoted friend, was 
young black-haired, diamond-eyed John Marshall, the 
same who afterwards became the great Chief Justice, but 



14 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

in those days was chiefly prominent as the best quoit 
pitcher in the Revolutionary Camp. There, too, was 
Light Horse Harry Lee, the son of Washington's first 
lady love, beloved of Washington for her sake and his 
own ; that Light Horse Harry, who, in Congress when 
his great Commander died, sobbed forth his grief in the 
immortal resolutions presented by Marshall which de- 
clared that he was "First in War, first in Peace and 
first in the hearts of his Countrymen. ' 

How these men all worshipped Washington! — In 
my day I have known descendants of them all, and with 
all exchanged our family traditions concerning the great 
Father. Heth's and Cropper's Virginia Regiments were 
hutted next to Cadwalader's. The three men were 
devoted friends. Within the past twenty years in New 
York, John L. Cadwalader, Richard C. Selden and I 
dined together at my house, great-grandsons of those 
three old worthies from whom we were taught our 
veneration for George Washington. 

When I was a small boy, my step-mother (only so 
in name, for she was my own mother, in love) had two 
old aunts, Aunt Belew and Aunt Claiborne. They 
were all three related to Mrs. Washington through the 
Dandridge connection. One of these old ladies lived 
many years at a place called "Cumberland" on the 
Pamunky River, adjoining the "White House" where 
their cousin the widow Custis lived when Washington 
married her. They always referred to her as Martha 
Dandridge, and they knew her and General Washington 
just as we do our cousins now-a-days. I remember one 
of them commenting upon a handsome colored print of 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON 1 5 

Gilbert Stuart's painting of Washington which was then 
extensively circulated in aid of the Mount Vernon pur- 
chase and saying the eyes were too "soulful" and the 
color too delicate. They said Washington's eyes were 
smaller, and not so deep in color as the pictures show 
them; and that there was a look about them not exactly 
of cunning but very quick and knowing, by no means 
so gentle as the ox-eyed expression transmitted to pos- 
terity by the artist. Then too, concerning his com- 
plexion, their criticism was that while Washington's 
complexion was healthy, it was not so delicately pink 
and childlike as it is shown, for he had a few scars of 
small-pox on his face, and his skin showed that thick- 
ening which so often follows the disease, although, in 
his case it was to a slight degree. Once when I was 
duck-shooting on the Potomac I had pointed out to me 
a spot where the General is said to have thrashed a 
fellow for poaching on his ducking grounds. All the 
details are well remembered in the neighborhood. The 
Potomac is a famous place for canvas-back and red head 
ducks. It seems Colonel Washington, as he then was, 
had carefully baited a certain feeding ground with corn, 
and that the ducks were coming in finely. But this of- 
fender had poached on the place and had been warned 
away. One morning Washington, who had been absent 
but had just returned home, went down before day to 
enjoy the sport of which he was very fond, when, lo I 
there in the very spot which he expected to occupy, was 
the same old intruder. He had ascertained that the 
Colonel was absent and thought he might trespass with 
impunity. It is said that he tried to push off his boat 



l6 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

and escape, but Washington dashed into the water after 
him, seized his boat and, towing it to the shore, gave 
him a sound pommelHng. Washington's temper was 
well known to every one who was intimate with him. 
He had it under control generally, and no doubt often 
concealed it with his dignified demeanor, but occasion- 
ally he gave his friends an exhibition that they never 
forgot. History records what he said to Lee at Mon- 
mouth. And I for one am glad he said it. It shows he 
had good red blood in his veins, and it is comfort to 
feel that great as he was, he was not above the infirmi- 
ties of us weak mortals. This eternal representation of 
Washington's extreme goodness and his praying out in 
the snow at Valley Forge, etc., gets to be namby-pamby 
after a while. 

The sinful world is gratified to know that now and 
then he wrestled with the old Adam. One of the Carys 
told my father of an experience he had as a boy on a 
visit to Mount Vernon. The family chariot was full on 
a certain Sunday, and the General allowed young Gary 
to ride to church a favorite mare that was in foal. All 
were very devout during the services, particularly the 
General. The family coach started home at once, but 
Mr. Gary lingered a while. The mare, as is usual with 
high-bred horses, chafed for her companions, and the 
moment she was headed homeward bolted. The boy 
lost control of her. She overtook the General's carriage 
going like a shot. "Stop that ! Stop that !" shouted 
the General as she passed him. He thought the boy 
was speeding her. His commands receiving no atten- 
tion, he forgot the sermon and the prayers, and Gary 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON ly 

said that as long as he was in ear-shot he heard very 
sulphurous imprecations from his host. Washington 
designed the National Capital upon a scale which has 
rendered it unnecessary to enlarge his plans and has 
made possible, on the very plan he devised, the most 
beautiful city in the world. Even I remember when I 
thought there was great waste of space there, but the 
innumerable buildings erected there in my day, grand 
as many of them are, find ready for them all that the 
foresight of Washington discovered would be necessary 
to display them to best advantage. How in contrast 
with the crowded spaces in all our other larger cities 
which had no seer planning for the distant future when 
they were founded. It is difficult to spend a day any- 
where in lowland Virginia, of which Washington was so 
fond, without meeting with some reminders of him, for 
he was all-pervading in his day, and nothing could be 
further from the facts than the old saying touching the 
departed, "the places that knew him know him no more." 
Even on my own country-place on the point of Cape 
Charles, a spot which, so far as I know, he never visited, 
there are things suggestive of him. A little wild pea 
known as the partridge pea is indigenous to the whole 
Eastern shore peninsula. It grows luxuriantly and in 
that sandy section is regarded, for lack of the sturdier 
grasses on limestone soils, as an excellent hay and good 
restorer of the land. I never walk out in the spring 
time and behold its pretty yellow bloom, without recall- 
ing a most interesting correspondence between Mr. 
Custis, who lived at Arlington, seven miles above my place, 
and General Washington, concerning the merits of the 



l8 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

partridge pea. Mr. Custis took the trouble to secure 
some seeds for General Washington, and the General 
planted them at Mount Vernon and reported the results. 
He said that it might serve its purpose fairly well in a 
light soil like that of the peninsula, but on the stronger 
lands of Piedmont there was a plenty of products of 
better substance both as feed and fertilizers. Washing- 
ton was unquestionably a scientific farmer in his day, 
and while far behind the discoveries of the present, he 
was first in this as in other things. 

The old great-grandfather of whom I have spoken^ 
simply idolized Washington, as well he might. Mr. 
Custis referring to him says that Cropper had but one 
toast for all Companies, banquets. Fourth of July, 
Twenty-second of February, marriages, funerals, and 
that was "God bless the memory of George Washing- 
ton." On a certain occasion soon after the War, CoL 
Cropper was in the coffee-room at Mammy Peterkin's, 
a famous tavern in Delaware, on the road between his 
home and Philadelphia. An Englishman present made 
some disparaging remark about Washington. Cropper, 
who was a large, powerful man and of quick temper, 
seized the chair on which he sat and broke it over the 
man's head. In later years, he was in the Virginia 
Senate. He was then a General, for Washington had 
proposed him as Commander of the Virginia troops 
when the troubles arose with France in '98. At a ban- 
quet at the Swan tavern in Richmond a speaker reflected 
upon Washington. When his remarks had proceeded 
to a certain point. General Cropper arose, seized a carv- 
ing knife and started towards him swearing he would 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON I9 

■"have his ears*' for such language concerning the great- 
est and best man that ever lived. It was with great 
difficulty that he was restrained and pacified. At the 
surrender of Yorktown Washington presented twelve 
French cannon captured from the British to the Mar- 
quis de Lafayette for distribution to the favorite officers 
of his division. One of these he gave to Colonel 
Cropper who took it with him to his home and placed it 
on the Court House Green at the County Seat. There 
it remained until the civil war when it was captured by 
federal troops and removed to Fortress Monroe. A 
grandson of General Cropper who lived in New York 
and was loyal to the Union, made personal application 
to Mr. Lincoln for a return of the gun, and it was deliv- 
ered to him and remained in his possession until his 
death which occurred in the present year. 

Every year of his life until shortly before his death 
in 182 1 when disease disabled him, General Cropper 
celebrated Washington's birth-day and July 4th at the 
County Court House, by firing that cannon, and by 
speeches, the reading of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, Washington's Farewell Address, and patriotic 
songs. 

These scenes were of course part of the youth of 
my father. Nothing pleased him more than to describe 
his grandfather speaking upon Washington. The old 
man would be moved by his own eloquence to defiance, 
exultation and tears. 

When the old Revolutionary hero became too in- 
firm to appear in public, he would on patriotic days 
assemble his children and grandchildren about him, 



20 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

have them read the old documents and sing the old 
songs, while he joined in with all his remaining fervor, 
the tears streaming down his cheeks. I have a letter 
written by William Wirt to his daughters when General 
Cropper died and it is one of his most beautiful produc- 
tions. 

If General Washington slept in all the houses in 
Virginia which have been pointed out to me, from time 
to time, as his lodging places, he must have done a good 
deal of napping in day-time; for in his brief lifetime he 
could not have done the sleeping in the night-time re- 
quisite to fill all these beds. 

Some of the houses he occupied were very small 
and very primitive. Indeed it is hard to realize how 
little of domestic comfort satisfied even the grandest 
people of his time. Many of the abodes of the wealth- 
iest and most important people of that day in Virginia 
were not up to those of the humblest today in space 
and comfort. There were a few handsome houses in 
Williamsburg and Fredericksburg in Gloucester and 
upper Potomac and on the lower James, but outside of 
these the Colonial Mansions of Virginia never were very 
numerous, or at all up to modern standards. 

A hundred years ago the fame of Washington in 
future ages, elsewhere than in Virginia, may have been 
problematic. It never was so there. The surroundings 
of every Virginian born then or since have been such 
that he was as sure to worship this immortal man as 
were the goats bred by Jacob to be "ring-streaked, 
speckled and grizzled." 

Just as pre-natal influences in the animal kingdom 



ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON 21 

affect the progeny, and long-continued habits of thought 
in a whole community of human beings descend from 
father to son — so generations of Virginians breeding 
together in a common faith about Washington have 
produced a Commonwealth of two million citizens to 
whom his every act and almost every breath he breathed, 
have been made familiar since they were old enough to 
comprehend anything. There may be found here and 
there a Virginian who will reluctantly admit that at 
one time or another in the tide of time, individuals have 
lived who in this or that particular quality may have 
equaled Washington; but it were rank heresy in any 
man to contend in the presence of a true bred Virginian 
that any man ever existed on this planet who had com- 
bined in him, the same number of pre-eminent qualities, 
to the same degree or so happily blended, as they 
appeared in Virginia's peerless Son. 

Thus, fellow-citizens, have I attempted to lay before 
you, in simple phrase, the real George Washington, in 
his daily and private life and in his relations to his 
neighbors and fellow-citizens. It may have been prob- 
lematical with the rest of mankind, a hundred years ago, 
how he would rank in History. It was never so with 
Virginians. To them he was, even in his lifetime, "the 
immediate jewel of their souls." A century has rolled 
by since he died — a century filled with great events that 
have revolutionized and changed, almost daily, the map 
of the world, with hosts of great men, from Napoleon 
and Wellington, down to now, filling Fame's trumpets 
with their deeds. Yet, there stands the Colossal figure 
of Washington, his fame enhanced rather than dimin- 



22 VIRGINIA FOLK-LORE 

ished by comparison with them, and likely to increase 
for a thousand years to come. Our Washington. Not 
Washington of Virginia or of Massachusetts. Not 
Washington of the North or of the South. Not even 
Washington of America. But Washington of the whole 
world, embodying and expressing the ideas of Liberty, 
and Justice and Valor and Moderation as the world had 
never known them before he lived. Quoted to describe 
him, the oft repeated words are no longer thread-bare. 
"As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, 
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the storm, 
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 

Thank God that in our past there was one great 
father, at whose tomb we may meet in common brother- 
hood for all time to come and there forget the differ- 
ences of intervening years. 



WORK OF THE SOCIETY. 

BY ELKiKNE TAPPAN. 

A review of the year is due to the members and to 
other historical societies. Such a record is a part of 
current history. The study of what has been done is 
important for a proper prosecution of the work to be 
done. Certain Unes of effort may be desirable for 
further work in the coming year, and on the other hand, 
it may be found that certain lines or methods should be 
omitted. Again, so far as the past shows success, it will 
be an encouragement to continue. The year thus re- 
viewed extends from April, 1906, to March, 1907. 

QUARTERLY MEETINCxS. 

The quarterly meetings are held in Old Home 
Week and in the latter part of October, January and 
April. The place is the town hall, which on several 
occasions was ornamented by a Boston decorating com- 
pany. In Old Home Week the society also arranged 
an antiquarian concert by the Old Stoughton Musical 
Society, and on Washington's Birthday celebrated the 
175th anniversary of that event witli an address by Capt. 
John S. Wise. This address is printed for the first time 
in this issue. 

The president of the Society, Col. Hewins, has 
occupied the chair at each meeting, as well as at each 
session of the board of directors. Praise is due to the 



24 WORK OF THE SOCIETY 

singers and musicians, and to the matrons and assistants 
who have contributed inspiration and good cheer. At 
the April and January meetings the leading address 
was given by Mr. John G. Phillips, followed at the last 
meeting by Messrs. Hewins, Whittemore and Tappan. 
Mr. Kempton has often given historical readings. Some 
speakers who came from out of town were Dr. Loring 
W. Puffer, the president of the Bridgewater Historical 
Society, in April, Ex-Gov. John D. Long in August, and 
Dr. William H. P. Faunce, the president of Brown Uni- 
versity, in October. A customary feature of the meet- 
ings is a social half-hour with service of tea and cakes. 

RAMBLES. 

The year's outings were limited, as previously, to 
the territory of the town, and took place on Saturday 
afternoons in alternate weeks of May, June, September 
and October with an all-day outing in Old Home Week. 
The attendance was greater than in the previous year, 
50 or 60 being the number in the last two months. On 
longer distances carriages are used. Often times a light 
lunch is carried by the ramblers, or served to them by 
the kindness of those living in the places visited. Care- 
ful attention is given to antique objects and the history 
and traditions of the families connected with the places. 
There was always held on such occasions an informal 
historical conference, at which some of the speakers 
were Messrs. Britton, Deming, Drake, Dyer, Field, 
Fuller, Haskel, Kempton, Mackintosh, Martin, Perry, 
Pettee, Phillips, Raynolds, Talbot, Tappan, Mrs. Eddy, 
Miss Felt, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Talbot, Mrs. Washburn, 



WORK OF THE SOCIETY 25 

Mrs. White and Miss Winship. Frequent visitors from 
abroad attend the outings as well as the regular meet- 
ings. A scholarly gentleman, while walking with the 
ramblers in a beautiful grove, expressed his feelings by 
the remark, "I'd rather walk in these woods than read 
the best book that ever was written." 

OLD HOME WEEK. 

The Society gave unusual attention to the holiday 
week, called Old Home Week, conducting as already 
stated the three events of antique concert, quarterly 
meeting and outing, and also issuing an illustrated pro- 
gram pamphlet for all the exercises of the week, of 
which 1500 copies were distributed, and a profit realized 
from the advertisements furnished by friends. 

WRITTEN CONTRIBUTIONS. 

Each of the meetings and rambles has its historian 
whose full narrative is printed in the Sharon Advocate, 
filling one or two columns of that village newspaper. 
These articles with others are included in the Society 
Scrap Book, the fourth volume of which has just been 
bound, its contents being given on another page. These 
volumes are substantially bound and will last as long as 
any printed book, and be read with increasing interest 
as time goes by. Sometimes on a ramble a selection 
from the Scrap Book has proved appropriate. The 
Sharon Advocate, by the courtesy of its publisher, con- 
tains notifications and historical items concerning the 
Society as well as the above named narratives. Bound 
volumes of the Advocate are kept in the Sharon Public 
Library. 



26 WORK OF THE SOCIETY 



HISTORICAL BUILDING. 



A goodly number of gifts has been received, as 
shown on other pages and in the preceding numbers of 
the PubHcations. "Where shall we put these valuables?" 
is a natural question frequently asked. A sufficient 
answer is found in Publication No. 3 issued a year ago, 
containing as frontispiece a perspective view of a suita- 
ble historical building with an article describing the 
structure and a reliable builder's estimate that the cost 
would be }$6ooo. A generous contribution for the be- 
ginning of a building fund would attract other similar 
contributions, resulting at last in a building erected, 
alike an ornament to the town and a safe deposit of 
valuable papers and relics. This building would be of 
great value to the life and prosperity of the Society. 

ASSOCIATED WORK. 

As a member of the Bay State Historical League, 
the Society sends representatives to the meetings of the 
League. Meetings of historical societies have been at- 
tended in Somervalle, Roxbury, Canton, Hyde Park, and 
also meetings of the Bridgewater Historical Society, 
and the American Historical Association. The Sharon 
Society has been glad to welcome at its meetings the 
presidents and members of sister organizations. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

A large membership has been the desire of the 
Society. Greater interest and more assistance are thus 
secured. At the beginning one hundred subscribers 
signed the application for incorporation, and at every 



WORK OF THE SOCIETY 2/ 

regular meeting accessions have been made to this 
number, the total being now 245. While noting with 
regret the recent loss by death of three members — Mr. 
Jay Gould of Norwood Street at the age of 50 years, 
Mr. Horace S. Shepard of Ames Street at the age of 74 
years, and Mr. William F. Hall at the age of 55 years, 
the society recalls with gratitude that during the calen- 
dar year of 1906, there was not a single loss. 

SOME RESULTS. 

Interest in local history has been stimulated and 
diffused by the good attendance upon the meetings and 
rambles, and by the published accounts of these gather- 
ings. Mr. John G. Phillips, with considerable labor, has 
prepared what with present means of knowledge is an 
exhaustive list of sources of Sharon history. Mr. Solo- 
mon Talbot, the Nestor of the Society, is constantly 
aiding in local memoranda. The written contributions 
to the Scrap Book preserve historical incidents for the 
use of the future historian. The society's printed annual 
from its interest as a record, is a pleasant means of ex- 
change with other historical societies and antiquarians. 
This annual is deposited in the principal libraries of the 
state, and in many libraries outside the state. The So- 
ciety will gladly receive from other associations any of 
their publications that can be spared. 

THE NEAR FUTURE. 

The best work is often the work that is nearest at 
hand. A complete study of the topographical features 
of the town, a full list of the names of brooks, hills and 



28 WORK OF THE SOCIETY 

tracts of land that have distinctive names, the recovery 
of Indian names now dropping out of memory (as 
Sconcumpenshen swamp in South Sharon), are instances. 
A diary of natural events might be kept, noting the first 
appearance of different kinds of birds, insects, leaves 
and flowers. The pursuit of genealogy, little attended 
to at present by the Society, might be as interesting and 
useful in Sharon as in other towns. Repeated requests 
in the Advocate to search old attics and report results, 
and to furnish copies of family registers in old Bibles 
have hitherto elicited no response, yet such registers ex- 
ist and attics are not often empty. 

A list has been made of the cases in the Probate 
Registry at Dedham from 1793 to 1878 relating to 
Sharon, and the additional work has been commenced of 
making an abstract of each case. A member who can 
spend a day, or several days, in continuing this work 
would be doing a good service. Another opening for 
historical work is to edit the records of the Sharon 
Lyceum in the years 1844 to 1846, presented by Mr. 
Charles S. Curtis. Such an editor could procure a brief 
biographical mention of each member of the Lyceum, 
besides writing a history of such organizations in the 
town. The building of the railroad in Sharon is an- 
other theme toward the preparation of which Mrs. 
William B. Wickes has contributed a copy of a report 
in 1829 to the Legislature on the practicability of the 
road, with plans of several proposed routes through the 
town. Some members of a practical turn might ac- 
complish the task of setting up a monument on the 
Randall place, using therefor the stone door step pre- 



WORK OF THE SOCIETY 2g 

sented by a descendant. A similar work would be the 
placing of a boulder at the grave of William Tolman, 
with perhaps this inscription, "William Tolman requested 
to be buried on this spot, from which he had often 
watched the wild geese fly over the pond." Wood paths 
and historical sites need to be marked. A more am- 
bitious undertaking might be the publication of a small 
book of the geography and history of Sharon for use in 
the public schools. There is none of the members who 
cannot write a page for the Scrap Book. 

The habit of historical research gives a pleasant 
purpose to one's leisure hours, and a local historical 
society may add materially to the happiness and refine- 
ment of the community. By cultivating the loving 
study of the town, it will do a substantial part in inter- 
esting the people in one another and in promoting good 
citizenship and good fellowship. 



HISTORICAL OUTINGS IN 1907. 

1. Spring Outing, Saturday afternoon, April 27. Stone bridge 
on Puffer's or Maskwonicut brook, in rear of Richards street. Take 
electric car to Canton street, thence walk along Canton street to 
Chestnut Tree cemetery, and thence across the fields. 

2. Rock Ridge, Saturday afternoon. May 25. Ride as far as 
Rockridge cemetery, thence walk along the summit of Rock Ridge 
to George P. Lawrence's house, and from there ride back to the 
village. 

3. Sharon Incorporation Day, Friday afternoon, June 21. 
The district was incorporated June 21, 1765. Out-door meeting 
with special speaker and music. 

4. Plimpton Pines, on South Walpole street, near Walpole 
line, Saturday afternoon, July 13. A ride. 

5. Old Home Week Outing, Saturday, August 3. Ride to 
Moose hill, lunch on the summit, walk down the west slope to 
Walpole line at Baker street, and from there ride back to the 
village. 

6. Devil's Rock, Saturday afternoon, September 14. Walk 
by way of Brook road, homeward by another route. A climb on 
top of the rock. 

7. Apple Day (the new holiday), Wednesday afternoon, 
October 16. Ride to the town farm, giving an entertainment to 
the inmates, thence across country to Bertram's and home. 

The foregoing list of outings was approved by vote of the 
Historical Society at the last January meeting. A narrative of 
each outing will be written by one of the company. All persons 
interested are welcome to join in the excursions. 



HISTORICAL SCRAP BOOK 

THE HISTORICAL SCRAP BOOK. 



31 



The following is a list of the articles, with names 
of writers appended, contained in the fourth volume of 
the Society's Scrap Book, just completed and bound. 
Contributions are requested for future numbers, and 
stationery for the purpose will be supplied on applica- 
tion to the corresponding secretary. 



John G. Phillips 

Dea. Samuel Tolman 

May L. Felt 

Rev. Amos N. Somers 

Mary E. Hixson 

Dr. Walter A. Griffin 

Mrs. Frank L. Gould 

George H. Whittemore 

Moses W. Mann 



Sources of Sharon History 

History of the Tolman Family (Copy) 

Selections from a little girl's diary. 

The Robbers' Cave in Sharon . 

Some of the Earlier Tanneries 

Sharon, a healthful place 

The Gould Family . 

Shoemaker Valley . 

Sharon Street in West Medford 

San Francisco Earthquake, (newspaper clipping) Wallace S. Shaw 

San Francisco Earthquake, (newspaper clipping) Nellie L. Harvey 

Poor Job Almanac, 1752, furnished by . . Rufus B. Tobey 

Extracts from Judge Samuel Sewall's Diary, 

Copied by Eugene Tappan 
Extracts from Judge Benjamin Lynde's Diary, 

Copied by Eugene Tappan 
Going to Pigeon Swamp, a sketch, . 
The Burns Festival ..... 
Historical Meeting, April 26, 1906 . 
Old Home Week, 1906 .... 
Historical Meeting, August 2, 1906 
Historical Outing, August 3, 1906 . 
An Evening in Sicily, October 25, 1906. 
Historical Meeting, January 31, 1907 
Washington Celebration, February 22, 1907 
Results of the Celebration. 
The Brook Un visited (outing) . . . Eugene Tappan 



Elizabeth B. Hinckley 

. Carrie W. Fernald 

. Dana Tappan 

Newspaper Clippings 

Emma A. Baker 

May L. Felt 

Mary N. Phillips 
Eugene Tappan 



32 GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 

Ramble No. 2, May 19, 1906 .... Muriel Tappan 

Sharon Outing, June 2, 1906 .... George Kempton 

A Soldier of the Revolution (outing) . . . Eugene Tappan 

Visit to Sharon Heights (outing) 

A September Afternoon (outing) 

Real Diary of a real Bad Man. 

Outing of the Historical Society, September 15, 1906, 

George Kempton 
An Afternoon Tea on the Randall Farm (outing), 

Rev. Almon J. Dyer 
An Aged Friend (outing) .... Eugene Tappan 

The Last of the Rambles (outing) . . . John G. Phillips 

Some Benefits of Historical Rambles . . Eugene Tappan 

GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY DURING THE 

YEAR. 

Charles F. Adams, Boston. Copy of his Address at the Lee 

Centennial in Lexington, Va. 
Bay State Historical League. List of lectures before historical 

societies. 
Cambridge Historical Society. Publications I of that Society. 
Capt. Rufus G. F. Candage, Brookline. Historical Sketches of 

Bluehill, Maine. 
Mrs. O. Augusta Cheney, Natick. 2 ancient pewter platters 

(Morse family). Reunion of descendants of John Eliot. 
Dr. Francis Collamore, North Pembroke. Old Quaker Meeting 

House, 1706. 
Charles S. Curtis. Constitution, by-laws and records of the 

Sharon Lyceum, 1844-6. Program of lectures in the Ladies 

Library Association, 1879. 
Edward Denham, New Bedford. The Colonel and the Quaker 

(No. 554 of limited edition). Views of New Bedford. 
Dorchester Historical Society. Old Dorchester burying Ground, 

History of the old Blake House, and Catalogues of special 

collections. 
Mehetabel B. Fairbanks. Parentage of Nathaniel Coney of Boston. 



GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 33 

W. Perry Fiske. Massachusetts of Today (1892). 

George S. Godard, Hartford, Conn. Trumbull's Notes on Consti- 
tutions of Connecticut. Notes on Town Representation. 
Journal of Constitutional Convention (1818). 

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Hawes, Canton. Mortar and pestle 
and riding stick formerly belonging to Dr. Elijah Hewins. 

Eben N. Hewins, Boston. Framed portrait of his father, Amasa 
Hewins. Business card of Amasa Hewins. 

Col. Edmund H. Hewins. Papers of the California Relief Com- 
mittee of Sharon (relief of earthquake sufferers). 

Martha M. Hewins. Governors' proclamations for thanksgiving 
on restoration of peace (1783 and 1865). 

Richard C. Humphreys, Boston. Records of the First church at 
Dorchester, 1 636-1 734. 

Edward F. Johnson, Woburn. Capt. Edward Johnson of Woburn. 

Eliza J. Kempton. Pencil drawings of Sharon houses by Alvin 
R. Alden. 

George Kempton. The first mess of tea made on Nantucket 
Island (1735). 

Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. Reports of the librarian, 
1902, 1903. 

Littleton Historical Society. Proceedings of the Littleton 
Society, No. i (containing article on Littleton Lyceum, 1829), 
No. 2. 

Arthur C. Long. Photograph of house formerly standing on site 
of present water works (given at request of his deceased 
brother). 

Marblehead Historical Society. The P'ountain Inn, Agnes 
Surriage and Sir Harry Frankland. 

Medford Historical Society. The Historical Register, a quarterly 
published by that society. 

Mrs. Amanda M. Morton. Oracles of Reason by Col. Ethan 
Allen. Works of William E. Channing, Vol. II. (Slavery, 
Texas, etc.). Columbian and European Harmony or Bridge- 
water Collection of Sacred music, 1802. 

Nantucket Historical Association. Proceedings of Annual 
Meeting (1906). Nantucket Lands and Land Owners. 



34 GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY 

Ernesto Nelson, Argentine Republic. Atlas of Norfolk County^ 
1876. 

New England Catholic Historical Society, Boston. Fr. Sebas- 
tian Rasle (missionary of Abenaquis Indians). 

Old Dartmouth Historical Society, and Edward Denham. Old 
Dartmouth Historical Sketches, Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16. 

Dr. Loring W. Puffer, Brockton. The Delhi Gazette (News- 
paper) Dec. 27, 1852, "published on the latest safe date of 
despatch of the overland mail." Atlas of pictures relating to 
George Washington. 

Herbert Randall, Hartford, Conn. Trumbull's Declaration of 
Independence (picture). Portrait of Roger Sherman (framed 
by the Society). Portraits of George and Martha Washington 
by Sharpless (reproduction). Portrait of Washington by 
Trumbull (reproduction). Picture in memory of Washington. 

Alfred S. Roe, Worcester. Life and services of William Henry 
Bartlett, 1904. 

F. A. Sampson, Columbia, Mo. Missouri Historical Review, a 
quarterly published by the State Historical Society. Third 
biennial report of executive committee. 

Smithsonian Institution. Washington, D. C. Annual Reports of 
American Historical Association, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1904 (7 
volumes). Report on methods of work in local historical 
societies (including the Sharon Society). Annual Report of 
American Historical Association (1905) vol. i. 

State Street Trust Co., Boston. State Street, a brief account 
of a Boston way. 

Eugene Tappan. Letters No. i (bound volume of letters of his- 
torical interest). Series of plans of Boston, 1630-35-40-45, by 
George Lamb. 

Rev. Anson Titus, Somerville. Proceedings of the Bostonian 
Society, 1906, containing Mr. Titus's paper on Franklin. 

RuFUS B. ToBEV, WoUaston. Passport, 1868, signed by William 
H. Seward. Shipping paper of ship Bowditch, 185 1. English 
bill of lading for 2818 rails, 1870. Dominican shipping doc- 
ument, 1846. Fac simile of Washington letter. Parchment 



OFFICERS AND LIST OF MEMBERS 



35 



probate letter, 1784. Donation committee, 1861. Original 
letters to Williams College, 1826, 1835, ^^c- 

Mrs. George H. Tucker. Two old Bibles. 

Westborough Historical Society. Story of the Rice Boys cap- 
tured by the Indians, 1704. Some old houses in Westborough. 

Mrs. William B. Wickes. Legislative report on the practicability 
of railroads, 1829. 

Officers of the Historical Society, 1906-'07. 

President, Col. Edmund H. Hewins. 
Vice-Presidents, Solomon Talbot, William R. Mann, D. Webster Pettee. 
Recording Secretary, George H. Whittemore. 
Corresponding Secretary, Eugene Tappan. 
Treasurer, Eliza L. White. 
Custodian, Loring M. Monk. 
Auditor, John A. Bowman. 
The Directors consist of the president, the secretaries, treasurer and custo- 
dian with the following additional members, Timothy F. Quinn, Amanda M. 
Eddy, George Kempton, Eliza J. Kempton. The above named officers were 
elected at the annual meeting, April 26, 1906. 



PRESENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



If errors are noted, please 
ing secretary. 

Wilhelm Albrecht . 
Marcellus Houghton Alien 
Oakes Ames . 
Arthur Allen Bailey 
Minnie Caroline Bailey 
Emma Aurilla Baker 
Abel Tuttle Barnes . 
William Barry 
Agnes Gertrude Barry 
Cynthia Bates 
William Henry Bense 



inform the correspond- 



Glendale Road 

Walpole 

Mountain Street 

Highland Street 

Highland Street 

Billings Street 

Boyden Place 

Walnut Street 

Walnut Street 

Upland Road 

Canton 



36 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



Elinor Maria Bense 
Abbie Caroline Billings 
Osmond Jesse Billings 
Emma Fredericke Boehm 
Abner Hunt Bowman 
Kate Ellen Bowman 
John Augustus Bowman 
Winnibel Bowman . 
Thomas W. Bradshaw 
Frederick Victor Brittain 
Marie Hilda Brittain 
Charles Franklin Bryant 
Angle Aldana Bullard 
Frank Elwood Burbank 
Sarah Caroline Burbank 
Warren Winthrop Capen 
Albert Alden Carpenter . 
Mary Imogene Carpenter 
Sanford Irving Carpenter 
Erminnie Olive Carpenter 
Harriet Maria Chapin 
Oliver Smith Chapman . 
Olive Augusta Cheney 
Gertrude Madeleine Cobb 
Arthur Dwight Colburn . 
Emma Pettee Colburn 
Floyd Clarke Coon . 
Guild Anderson Copeland 
Jennie Sarah Copeland . 
Cadwallader Curry . 
Charles Stone Curtis 
Clara Emma Curtis 
Walter Herbert Delano . 
Gertrude Hewins Delano 
Miner Rudd Deming 
George Alfred Dennett . 



Canton 
Worcester 
Worcester 
South Main Street 
. Station Street 
. Station Street 
Edgewood Road 
Edgewood Road 
^;^ Broad Street, Boston 
Glendale Road 
. Glendale Road 
. Billings Street 
Depot Street 
South Pleasant Street 
South Pleasant Street 
South Pleasant Street 
. Upland Road 
. Upland Road 
. Billings Street 
. Billings Street 
Maskwonicut Street 
North Main Street 
39 1-2 Pond Street, Natick 
Bay Street 
Depot Street 
Depot Street 
Billings Street 
Boston 
Boston 
Pleasant Street 
Pond Street 
Pond Street 
Billings Street 
Billings Street 
515 Tremont Temple, Boston 
. North Main Street 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



37 



Elizabeth Osgood Dennett 
Charles Thomas Derry 
Almira Wilds Derry 
Hervey Tolman Billings Derry 
Gertrude M. Derry . 
Daniel Elijah Devoe 
Lucy Williams Dinsmore 
James M'Ewen Drake 
Maria Upham Drake 
Dorothy Drake 
Almon Jesse Dyer . 
Lizzie Lovell Dyer . 
Amanda Maria Eddy 
May Lawrence Felt 
Adelaide M. Fernald 
Carrie Wilbar Fernald 
George Wilton Field 
Mary Bell Field 
Arthur Perry P'iske 
Mary Adela Fiske . 
William Perry Fiske 
Ruth Tucker Fiske . 
George Bailey Fowler 
Bernice Welton Fowler 
Robie G. Frye 
Edward Jarvis Fuller 
Erastus Otis Fuller . 
Mary Josephine Fuller 
Helen Eliza Gannett 
Louis Francis Gates 
Lillian Carver George 
Mary Frances Giberson 
Nelson Newton Glazier 
Joseph Goddard 
Faith Goddard 
Mattie Hilda Green 



North Main Street 
Washington Place 
Washington Place 
- Billings Street 
. Billings Street 
Norwood Street 
South Main Street 
. Upland Road 
. Upland Road 
. Upland Road 
North Main Street 
North Main Street 
. Billings Street 
Main Street 
North Main Street 
North Main Street 
Moose Hill Street 
Moose Hill Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
Summit Avenue 
Summit Avenue 
North Main Street 
North Main Street 
North Main Street 
. Viaduct Street 
. Canton Street 
Canton 
East Street 
02 Barristers Hall, Boston 
. Scituate 
. Belcher Street 
Summit Avenue 
. Viaduct Street 
. Viaduct Street 
Pleasant Street 



38 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



Walter Alden Griffin 
Charles Edgar Hall 
Carrie Matilda Hall 
Kate Melville Hall . 
Mary Abbie Hall . 
Arthur Carter Haradon 
William Lewis Haskel 
Agnes Payne Haskel 
George Ashley Haszard 
George Adam Herath 
Eben Newell Hewins 
Edmund Dunbar Hewins 
Ora Achuff Hewins 
Edmund Hart Hewins 
Kate Minerva Hewins 
Katharine Potter Hewins 
Louisa Hewins 
Martha Morse Hewins 
Harry Mason Hight 
Margaret Deering Hight 
Arthur Scott Hixson 
Florence Hixson 
Charles Augustus Hixson 
Mary Louisa Hixson 
Edgar Mace Hixson 
Mary Ella Hixson . 
Theodore William Hixson 
Albert Doane Holmes 
William Bradford Holmes 
Ellen Jane Horace . 
Charles Elbert Howard 
Alfred Henry Johnson 
Joanna Johnson 
Harriet Amanda Johnson 
Louisa Jones . 
George Kempton 



. Everett Street 

South Main Street 

South Main Street 

. Maple Avenue 

South Pleasant Street 

47 Hollywood Street, Worcester 

Chestnut Street 

Chestnut Street 

. Station Street 

. Maskwonicut Street 

85 Francis Street, Roxbury 

Highland Street 

Highland Street 

South Main Street 

South Main Street 

South Main Street 

4 Hamilton Place, Boston 

Norwood Street 

. Maple Avenue 

. Maple Avenue 

Brook Road 

Brook Road 

. North Main Street 

. North Main Street 

Brook Road 

Brook Road 

Brook Road 

23 Commercial Street, Boston 

Bay Street 

2 Longwood Avenue, Brookline 

Mansfield Street 

. South Main Street 

South Main Street 

Depot Street 

Stoughton 

Pond Street 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



39 



Eliza Jane Kempton 
John C. Kimball 
Charles Henry Kittredge 
Elizabeth Frances Kittredge 
Arthur Cornelius Kollock 
Max Paul VVoldemar Kreutz 
Jennie Sophronia Kreutz 
George Porter Lawrence 
James Edward Leach 
Lizzie Nora Leonard 
Dora Maria Leonard 
Henry Frank Leonard 
Mary Jane Leonard 
Marcus Eugene Lincoln 
Albert W. Lyon 
John William Mackintosh 
William Rufus Mann 
Julia Adeline Mann 
Fred W. Mansfield . 
Sarah M. Mansfield 
Nelson Lansing Martin 
Mary Evalyn Martin 
Henry F. Maxwell . 
John William McCanna 
John Dwyer McLaughlin 
Edmund Franklin Merriam 
Percy Richards Middleton 
Dora Middleton 
Eliza Burnham Mills 
Loring Morton Monk 
Laura Delphine Monk 
Rodney Elijah Monk 
Susan Gay Moody . 
Bushrod Morse 
Henry Allen Myrick 
Clara Pratt Myrick 



Pond Street 

Greenfield 

. Upland Road 

. Upland Road 

12 Equitable Building, Boston 

off Depot Street 

off Depot Street 

53 Tremont Street, Boston 

35 Congress Street, Boston 

Summit Avenue 

Depot Street 

Pond Street 

Pond Street 

Pleasant Street 

Boston 

Walnut Street 

East Street 

East Street 

Belcher Street 

Belcher Street 

Viaduct Street 

Viaduct Street 

Rindge, N. H. 

Deborah Sampson Street 

730 Tremont Building, Boston 

. North Main Street 

South Pleasant Street 

South Pleasant Street 

Pleasant Street 

East Street 

East Street 

East Street 

East Street 

23 School Street, Boston 

Morse Street 

Morse Street 



40 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



Velina Frances Myrick 
Herbert Frank Nelson 
Cyrus Adolph Noyes 
Edmund Horatio Noyes 
Florence Fleming Noyes 
John O'Brien . 
Mary Ann O'Brien . 
Gertrude Genevieve O'Brien 
Dennis O'Leary 
Alvin Dexter Packard 
Bernard Leonard Paine 
Carrie Luthera Perkins 
Charles Albert Perry 
Daniel Webster Pettee 
Myra Frances Pettee 
John Goddard Phillips 
Mary Williams Phillips 
Mary Nightingale Phillips 
Anna Goddard Phillips 
Amelia Hannah Pollard 
Ralph LeSeur Pollard 
Bertha Campbell Pollard 
James Nelson Pringle 
Thomas Stephen Prouty 
Timothy Francis Quinn 
Elizabeth Loyola Quinn 
Benjamin Raynolds 
Ruth Adala Raynolds 
Isabella Raynolds . 
Benjamin Francis Rhoades 
Bessie Frances Rhoades . 
Edwin Gilmore Richards 
Gertrude F. Williams Richards 
Lydia Gay Richards 
Mary Tolman Saflford 
Laura Arnold Sage . 



Pleasant Street 
North Main Street 
. Cottage Street 
Summit Avenue 
Summit Avenue 
East Foxborough Street 
East Foxborough Street 
East Foxborough Street 
. Tolman Street 
. Walnut Street 
Highland Street 
North Main Street 
. Cottage Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pond Street 
Depot Street 
Depot Street 
. Billings Street 
Chestnut Street 
South Main Street 
South Main Street 
South Main Street 
South Main Street 
South Main Street 
. County Street 
. County Street 
South Main Street 
South Main Street 
Stoughton 
Pond Street 
South Main Street 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



41 



Alfred Colby Sampson . 

Carrie Choate Sampson . 

Charles Forrest Sanborn 

Louise Peterson Sanborn 

Elmer Bartlett Shaw 

Maud Evelyn Shaw 

Catherine Amelia Shedd . 

Anna Maria Shepard 

Willis Ames Shepherd 

Alice Mary Shepherd 

Abram T. Smith 

Jennie Poole Snow . 

Fred Dunmore Stanley . 

Isabelle Rowland Stanley 

John Warren Stearns 

Charlotte Ladd Page Stearns 

Silas Allen Stone 

Amanda Sussman . 

Ezra Otis Swift 

Solomon Talbot 

Henry Francis Talbot 

Edmund Hawes Talbot . 

Fannie Adelaide Talbot . 

Eugene Tappan 

Crosby Tappan 

Muriel Tappan 

Robert Tappan 

Gilbert Thompson . 17 12 

Willis Thompson 

Minnie Bushee Thompson 

Lyman Robert Tidd 

Julia Frances Tidd . 

Rufus Babcock Tobey 

Otis Swift Tolman . 

Elizabeth Walker Trafton 

Frank Marion Trafton . 



Glendale Road 
Glendale Road 
South Pleasant Street 
South Pleasant Street 
Brook Road 
Brook Road 
517 Warren Street, Roxbury 
Ames Street 
. Oakland Road 
. Oakland Road 
. Oakland Road 
North Main Street 
Pleasant Street 
Pleasant Street 
North Main Street 
North Main Street 
. Billings Street 
South Main Street 
Box 2587, Boston 
Maskwonicut Street 
Waterville, Kansas 
35 Congress Street, Boston 
Canton 
South Pleasant Street 
Chambersburg, Penn, 
South Pleasant Street 
. Mt. Vernon, N. Y. 
Corcoran Street, Washington, D. C. 
Summit Avenue 
Summit Avenue 
Summit Avenue 
Summit Avenue 
Wollaston 
Pond Street 
North Main Street 
North Main Street 



42 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



Ida A. Tuck . 

Alice Mary Tuck 

John Tuck 

Edward Augustus Warren 

Evalyn Naomi Warren 

Azel Washburn 

Mary Frances Washburn 

Benjamin Welch 

Dora Welch . 

Sidney Adams Weston 

Mille Louise Weston 

William Dexter Wheeler 

Alice M'Lellan Wheeler 

Eliza Lucretia White 

John Francis White 

George Hamilton Whittemore 

Elsie Alden Whittemore . 

Eva St. Clair Woodbridge 

Total, 



. South Main Street 

. South Main Street 

. South Main Street 

135 Lincoln Avenue, Fall River 

135 Lincoln Avenue, Fall River 

25 Jaques Avenue, Worcester 

25 Jaques Avenue, Worcester 

South Main Street 

South Main Street 

, Maple Avenue 

. Maple Avenue 

. Glendale Road 

, Glendale Road 

Chestnut Street 

. Maple Avenue 

Chestnut Street 

Chestnut Street 

. Billings Street 

245- 



PUBLICATIONS 



OF THE 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



OF 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 



No. 5— APRIL. 1908 



BOSTON 

Cbc araftcli^an press 

368 Congress Street 
1908 



PRICE, 50 CENTS 



PUBLICATIONS 



OF THE 



SHARON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



OF 



SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS 

Containing the Church Records of T^ev. Philip Curtis of Sharon 

1742-1797 

JOHN G. PHILUPS. Editor 



No. 5— APRIL, 1908 



w 

(CnmpUmpiita uf 



BOSTON 

Zbc Hrahclsan presa 

36)8 Gsngress Street 
1908 



Copyright 1908 
The Sharon Historical Society 



FOREWORD 



The Minister's Record of the Second Parish of Stoughton (later 
the First Parish of Stoughtonhani, now Sharon) is the property of 
Mr. Charles S. Curtis of Sharon, the great grandson of Rev. Philip 
Curtis the first minister, who has kindly loaned the manuscript for 
copy and publication. 

In form the Record is a little book 6 1-2 by 4 1-2 inches in size, 
bound in thick brown paper covers and contains nearly 100 pages; 
the hand writing, originally distinct, is now much faded, blurred in 
many places, and often can be deciphered only with considerable 
difficulty; the leaves are stained with much use, yellowed and crumb- 
ling with age, and in spite of the watchful custodianship now ex- 
ercised over it, the Record must inevitably soon become a relic of 
sentimental value only. 

A study of the contents will reveal many items of V'ital Statistics 
from 1 74 2- 1 797 not appearing in the town records which were not 
begun until 1765. The foot-notes will throw light upon some mat- 
ters otherwise obscure, but in addition it should be understood that 
throughout the book, in almost every instance, the dates in the col- 
umns headed "Deaths'" are really those of burials, usually three days 
later than the actual dates of deaths as given in the town records. 

As evidence of the progressive characteristics of Rev. Mr. Curtis 
it is interesting, and worthy of note, that the first entry in the Rec- 
ord, a baptism Jan. I7'^''- 1742, shows that he was using the new style 
of dating. It was not until September 1752 that January i**'- was 
legally adopted as the beginning of the year and double dating be- 
tween January i^*- and March 2^^^- was continued by many until an 
even later date. 

A special eft'ort has been made to reproduce the spelling, punctua- 
tion, abbreviations, and the general arrangement of the records, as 
they appear in the original manuscript. Although other copies have 
already been made it is believed that no such exactness of detail 

3 



has been heretofore attempted. A full index is appended. At the 
close of the records several pages were devoted to a review of 
the principal events in his own life by the minister and these have 
also been copied and included with the rest. 

In publishing the Minister's Record of Rev. Philip Curtis the 
Sharon Historical Society feels that it is performing a duty not only 
to its members and fellow citizens of the town but also to that in- 
creasing number of students all over the country who are actively 
at work, and to a still larger number of persons who are at least 
interested, in historical and genealogical investigation. 

To all such friends and co-workers this copy is dedicated in the 
hope that it may add a little that is of value to the large stock of 
already a\ailable sources of information, and be the means of sup- 
plying an occasional missing link to the many incomplete chains of 
New England family history. 

J. G. P., Editor. 

Sharon. January 6th 1908. 



Book of i ] 

From the \'ear 174 [ ] 

For the Year 1742. 

[1] 
Baptisms 
January. 17. W". Richards. Jeremiah. 
Feb: 14 John PhilHps Adult 
March-28 Mr. Fullers Rebeccah 
Aprill Jcabod Clarks Nehemiah & W". Woods John 
July. Benj" Estys Lydia 
August [ ] saac: Belchers Mary 
Sep''. 19. Isaac Cuming Noah. & John Smiths Hannah 

Marriages 
January. 28 J married Sam". Coney. & Rebecah Guild 
October 4 J married Jer''. Willis & Remember Tupper * 

For the Year 1743 

Baptisms 
March 6. Kb''. Stearns Zekill : Robins 
May. S.th Job Swift Patience 
May 15. S". Cumings Nathaniell 
May 22. J^. — Everets Catherine 
June. T". Randall Joseph 
June. E. Hewins Hannah 
August Jer"^. Clark Silvanus 
Sep^. 4. J. Jordan John. 
October 2. Benj°. Esty Benjamin 

October 9 Oba*^. Haws Nathaniell < 

Novem'". 13 D". Richards John 

Marriages 
March. 30*^ J married Eleazer May & Esther Wadsworth. 
Sep''. 2^ J married Elijah Capen & Eli*^: Bird 
December. J married John Hawse & Amey Morgan 

[2] 
For the Year. T744 
Baptisms 
Jany. 22. J^. Gould. Joh [ t 1 Keziah 
Feb^. 29. Step". Hawse. Hannah 

March. 11. Joshua Johnson & Mat^ : Puffer^ Mary & Matthias 
May. 21. E. Esty Solomon 
June. Ephraim Pay son Henry 
June 28. Elijah Capen. Elijah. 
July I. W™. Woods. Deborah. 
July 8. J" Noise John. 

* Remember Tupper, by her former marriage, was the mother of Gen. Benjamin 
Tupper, a native of the territory now .Sharon, who served throughout tbe Revolution- 
ary War and was a pioneer in the settlement of Marietta, Ohio. 

•f Partly erased. 



July 29. Deacon Fuller Lemuell 

September 2. John Smith & Job Swifts Samuell & Joshua 

October 7**^. Clifford Belcher Preserved. 

Marriages 
Aprill g^^. day J married John Hixson & Sarah Bird 
July. 11^*'. J. Married Benjamin Harlow & Abigail Hobbs. 
Novem'". i day. J Married William Tolman & Mary Savell. 
Nov''. 6. day J Married Josiah Hodges & Mary Coolledge 

For the Year 1745. 

Baptisms 
March. 3**. W". Richards Ebenezer 

March 31^^. Nathan Clark & Sam". Gould Thomas & Mary 
May 5 Ebene'". Stearns Mary. 
May 26. Woodcock. Abigail. 
June 30. Eli : Capen. Damaris 
Ebe". Capen Ezekill 
John. Whites David 
Mats. Puffer. Rebeccah 
Sam". Cumings Mary 
September 19 Tho^ Randell Benjamin 
Octo^". 6. Jer^. Clarks Asa. 
Oct. 13 Clifford Belcher. Clifford 
Oct. 20. Benj". Harlow. Hannah 

Oct. 27. Jo*^ Everet & E''. Hewins luKva [torn] Joseph 
No [torn] [ torn ] 

Nov. 18. Stev"^ Howse twins Joseph & Benj a", 
[torn] Tolman [ torn ] 

Marriages 
May 9*^^ J Married Ephraim Pay son. i'' & Margaret Morgan. 
June 27*^'^. J Married Ebenezer Bacon. & Rebecah Blackman 
Septem''. 12 day J Married Jsaiah Tolman & Hannah Fuller 

[3] 
For the Year. 1746 

Baptisms 
February. 2. Elijah Bakers Hannah 
February. 16. Nathaniell Holmes Benjamin 
March. 9. Nath". Coney & Jer : Gould William & Louis. 
May. II. J Baptised my first child. Samuell 
May 25^'!. Daniell Richards. Noah. E. Estys Mary. And Sam". 

Coneys Samuell 
June j^^. John. Gilberts Joim. 
July. 2*^. John Jordan Mary 
September 7"^. day Job. Swift. Job. 

Marriages 
January 9*^^. day I Married Stephen Holland & Sarah Stone 
Nov"". 20**^. day I Married Jonathan Capen, & Jerusha Talbot. 

6 



For the Year 1747. 
Baptisins 
January. 17. John Hawse Joseph 
March. 8. Elij^. Capen. Mary. 
March. 29. Deacon. Fullers Deborah. 
Aprill 12. Jos'*. Johnson. Rebecah 
May. 25. Eb"". Hewins. Elijah.* 
June 21. Benj° Hewins. Benja". 
July 5. Stephen Holland. Natha" : 
July 12. Clifford Belcher. Love 
July. 26. Stephen Hawse. Elisabeth 
August. 23 Jcabod Claries twins, Billy & Salle. 

September. 6. My Second child, Samuell & Nathan Clarks William. 
September. 13 Benj". Harlows Abigail / 

October. 19 D". Richards Hannah 
October 26. Natha". Coney Thomas. 
December. 13. Eb°. Capen Lemuell 
December 27 Elijah Baker [torn] ah 

Marriages 
January i. I Married Ebenezer. Robins & Priscella Covill 
February 12. I Married Benjamin Hewins & Sarah Bacon. 
February 27. I Married Nicolas Harris & Lydia Covill 
Aprill 23. I Married Ebenezer Dickerman & Lydia Gould 
July. 9**^. day I married Benjamin Roads & Anna Gould 
September 22^^. day. I Married John. Phillips & Mary Blancher. 
December lo**". day J Married Joseph Roads & Sarah Barns. 

The Number of those Admitted into the chh : for the Six Years past. 

Sarah, Bird. Sam"., Coney. & his wife. 

Damaris, Bird. Matthias Puffer 

Ebenezer, Capen. & his wife. Elijah. Capen 

Mary, Pay son. Abigail Harlow 

Sarah, Pay son. W"*. Tolman & his wife 

W"., Drake. Ephraim Pay son ^"". 

Amey, Hawse. John. Hixson J"". & his wife. — 

Mary, Drake. 

The Number of those Voted into the chh : y*. belonged to other chh : 
John Hixson Benj°. Johnson. 

Ephraim, Pay son. Sarah Hawse 

Ebenezer. .Stearns Elisabeth Randall 

Richard. Hixson & his wife W"". Bacon 

The Number of those y^ have Owned the Covenant for Six Years 

past. — 
John Phillips Benj°. Hewins & his wife. 

Elijah Baker. 

* Dr. Elijah Hewins. Surgeon in .Xrmy 1775-177Q 



The Number of those y' liave fallen into ... & made Confession.* 
John HixsonJ"'". & his wife Benj°. Hewins & his Wife 

Sarah Pay son 

The Number of those y'. have dyed for the Six Years past. — 

Mehitable Hixson John. — Richards 

Edward Belcher Elijah — Capen 

Eleazer Puffer Sam^^ Smith 

Hannah Fuller & son Seth Preserved Belcher 

W.~ Drake Sam" Curtis 

Sarah Stone Noah Richard 

Love Belcher [torn torn] 

Josiah Blackman t T^. : Tupper t 

Jeremiah. Richards Ab^ Wood t 

[5] 
For the Year 1748 • — 
Baptisms 
January. 24 Nat'^ Holmes [ $ J Sarah 
February. 28. Tho^. Randall Samuell 
March the 6. Jsaiah Tolman Mary. 
March. 13. W™. Tolman. Mary 
March 29. Jer: Gould Anna. 
Aprill 3. Matthias Puffer Abigail 
Aprill 10 Joseph Everet Elisabeth 
Aprill 17 E: Pay sonJ*". Asa 
May I. John Hixson Ju"". Mary 
June 12. Job. Swifts Jirah & John Phillips Mary 
September 18 W~. Whoods Benjamin 
October t6 Sam" Cuming. Rebecca 
November. 6 Jcabod Clark Sarah 
Novem"". 20 Sam". Bird Sam". 
Nov: 24. My third Child Hannah 

Confessions 
June 12. John Phillips & his wife made confession . . . 
November 20. Sam" : Bird & his wife made confession . . . 

Marriages 
Sep'". I. I married Joseph Coney, & Sarah Savell 
November i^*. I married Jonathan Billing Ju''. & Sarah Guild 

Admitted into the Chh: 
Aprill 17 Admitted Bathshaba Esty. — 
June 12 Admitted John Philips & his wife 
Nov: 20 Admitted Sam" Bird & wife. 

* This entire paragraph has been blurred over with iiik, but is distinctly legible, 
f These names are crowded into the margin. The name missing at the bottom of 
the page probably began with S. 
I Mary, crossed out. 

8 



For the \'ear 1749 [6j 

Baptisms 
Jan: 15. John Haws John 
March 5 E''. Hewins Ruth 
March 26. Sam". Coneys Priscilla 
Aprill 2. Ben: Hewins. Sarah 
Aprill i6 John Drake child. John. 

May 14 Clifford Belchers & W= Woods, both Joseph*. 
May 28. Stephen Haws child Susannah 
June II. Elijah. Capen child Elijah 
August 6. Eben'". Stearns children Sarah & Joshua & Jacob Hewins 

child Damaris 
August 13. W™- Toleman's child Experience 
August 16. John Whites. Jonathan 
October i. Uriah Leonard child Hannah & 15 Elijah Baker child 

Thomas 

Marriages 
January 26 I marryed Benj*^. Dean & Mary Witherton 
March i I married Jacob Hewins & Damaris Bird 
March 14. I married Abraham Prible & Elizabeth Roads. 
March 30. J marryed Caleb. Johnson & Judith Tuckir. 
June 13. I marryed Thomas Nason & Mary Campernall. 
July 18. I marryed Sam". Roads & Mrs Thorp. 
August 17. I marryed W™. Pitten * & Rebecah Covill. 

Confessions 
Jacob Hewins & his Wife made confession . . . July 2." 

Deaths 
May 17 T^ : Coney buried 

May 18 Daniell Richards child hannah. was buried. 
Aprill 16 The Widow Blackman was buried 
August 17. John Whites child Jonathan was buried 
October 19 Nath": Woodcock was buried & 20*''. Solomon Leonard. 

Admitted into clih: 
Benj°. - Drake Oct. 21 from Easton chh. 
Nov: 19. Nat: Conev & wife admitted into chh. 

[7] 
For the Year 1750 

Baptisms 
Jan''''. 21 Nat: Holmes child 
Feb : 4 : D" : Richards Child Hannah 

Mar*^!": 4 Eb*": Capen & Lewis children Susannah & Mehitable 
Aprill 15 Joseph Everet & Sam": Bird children Oliver. & John 
Aprill 22 W"- Smith & Benj : Harlow children Jesse & Matthew 

Hobbs 
May 13 Pelatiah Esty* child Keziah 
July I Jer : Gould child Jere^ : 

* Or : Fitter. 

9 



July 15 Matthias Puffer Jsaac 

July 22 E. Pay son dau''. Anna 

Aug: 19 my 4*'^ child Eliz : & John Hixsons Jacob 

Sep*"- 16 Eb: Esty child Ebenezer 

October 7. Stephen Hillers child. Eben'' : 

Nov. II Job. Swifts Charity & Jcabod Clark. Samuell 

Deaths 
January i. day W. Tolmans child Mary 
March 25 : Eb''. Capens child Susannnli 
March 20. Benj". Esty 
Ap. 29 Samuell Billings child Livit 
May. I. Mrs. Esty 
June 4 Ebe"': Billings child 
Decern'": 10 Mat: Puffer^ Child 

Marriages 
May- 10. I marryed Lemuell Lyon of Walpole & Lydia Perry of 

Stoughton And Obadiah Haws & Tabitha Richardson both of 

Stoug : 
Aug^ 2 I married Sam". Lovett & Mary Hewins 
Octo: 18 I married John Holmes & Mehitable Hewins 
Dec"-: 31. I mar: D " : Morse & Kizia Turner Elisha Morse & Jo- 

hannah Rogers 

Confessions 

Admitted info Chh 
March 25 Jane Phillips Admitted & was Bap*'. 
September 16. Judith Johnson Admitted 

[8] 
For the Year 1731. — 

Baptisms 
January 20^''. Caleb Johnson child. Caleb. 
Feb: 3. Nat: Coneys child Elizabeth 
Feb: 17. W". Toleman child Elisabeth 
Feb : 24. Sam'' : Cumings, Richard 
March. 31. Clifford Belcher's Supply 
Aprill 7. Jacob Hewins : Mary 
Aprill 14. John Phillips John 
Aprill 28. John Drakes. Mary 
May 26. Elijah Baker. Abigail 

June 20. W~. Wood Sarah. & Jonathan Willis*. Jonathan & Mary. 
July 8. Stephen Haws children Jonathan & Johannah. — 
Sep: I. Elijah Capen. Sarah 
Sep: 15. Sam". Bird. Enoch 
Sep : 22. Ebenezer Capen. Susannah 
Sep: 29. Sa". Lovell. Mary 
Nov : 3. W~" : Coney^. Oliver 8c Nathan Ruben Tupper child Anne 

Deaths 
Feb. 24 Cap^ Eben'': Billings Wife 
March 17 Josh'': Johnson son 

10 



May 14 John Hixson. — 
July 23 Ebenezer Hewins 
October 31. John Phillips 

A'farriages 
Aprill 3''. I married Nat'"'. Holmes jnn"". & Hannah Smith 
Aprill 4<^. I Married Benj : Esty & lonnah Amsbury 
June 3*^. I married Royall KoUock & Mary Randall 

Ad*^: chh: 
September 22. Mary Lovell was taken into the chh : 
Nov"". 3 William Coney & his wife, made confession ... & The Same 

day Shee was .Admitted into y^ Chh 

[9] 

For the \ ear 1752. 

Baptisms 
March i. Nathaniell Holms Mary 
March 26. Jcabod Clark loshua 
May 10. My Twins Mary & Snsannah & Stephen Hollons Child 

Sarah 
June 14. Benjamin Esty*" Child loannah 
July 12 Ephr"*. Pay son**. Jun'". child Mary 
Sam". Coney Child John 
August 9*^ 

Augitst 23 Benj ; Gannet Child. Hannah 

October 4. Clifford Belcher's Mehitabel & \\'^. Toleman's Mary. 
October 25 Job. Swift Unity. — 
December 24 John Hixson's Hannah 

Deaths 
March 7 was buried Mary Belcher 
Aprill 2 was buried Widow Rogers 
Aprill 4 was buried Mrs. Harlow 
Aprill 7 W.- Coney Child. Nathan 
Aprill 18 W'idow Esty was buried 
May 29 Mrs. Curtis * dyed 

Marriages 
January i. I married Aaron Guild & Sarah Coney 
Aprill 2 t 

Ad: into Chh: 
August 23 Benjamin Gannet & his Wife was Admitted into the Chh : 
Nov: 15 Elijah Baker & his wife was admitted into the Chh: 

[ID] 

For the Year 1753 
Baptisms 
Jan : 7. Jere*^ : Gould^. Priscilla 
March 11. Royall Kollock Ebenezer 
Aprill 15. Will~: Coney. Abigail 
May 20. Elijah Bakers. Elijah 

* Eliza Bass, wife of Rev. Philip Curtis, 
t This date is crossed out. 

II 



May 2"]. Eleazar Haws. William 

June 3. Sam". Billings j"»". Levit. 

June 10. Sam". Birds child. Elijah 

June 24. Sam". Cumings child John & John Drakes child Archippus 

July 8. Stephen Haws child Ann. 

July 15. Jacob Hewins child Jacob. 

August 21. Rubin Tuppers child. Remember. 

Sep: 9. Natha": Coney child Mehitable & Matthias Puffers Child 

Benjamin 
October 8. Elijah Billings Elizabeth 
Dec"": 9. Daniell Richards. Jeremiah 

Deaths 
Aprill 2&^. Mrs. Pierce was buried 
Aprill 28. Jacob Esty® Negro child was buried 

Marriages 
Feb: 8 Benjamin Pitte & Hannah Morse was Married 
October 25. I married Ezekiel Pierce & Rachel Copp: And Josiah 

Wentworth & Hannah Pettingal 

Ad: into Chh: 
January y^^ Mary KoUock was taken into the Chh : 
Aprill 15. Nathan Clark was Received into the Chh: from the i* 

Chh: in this Town at Stoughton 
September 23. Elisabeth Randal J'"". was taken into Chh : 

[II] 
For the Year 1754 

Baptisms 
March 24 Nat: Holmes Child Benjamin 

Aprill 21, Eben''. Stearns Child. Abigail. & M"". Savage Child. Nathan 
Aprill 28 Benj : Estys Child Patience 
June 16. Sam" Coneys child Jacob. & Ephraim Payson's child 

Ephraim. 
June 30. W": Tolman^ Child Samuel 
July I. Benj°. Gannets child Benjamin. 
July 14. Sam": Lovel Child Joseph 
July 21. Jonathan Willis - Child. Rebecca 
Sep"": I Job Swift child Philip & Pelatiah Esty child Samuell 
Sep'': 8 Sami: Birds Child Anna 
Nov : 24. Ebe*"- Capen. Sam". 

Deaths 
April 29 Stephen Hollands Infant Child was buried 
July 19 Sam". Coney's Child was buried 
Octo. 17. Job Swift's Child Philip was buried 
Nov: 13 Job Swifts Child Charity was buried 

Marriages 
March. 7 I married Edward Bullard & Abigail Coney. 
Aug: 13 I married Simeon Tupper & Anna Capen 

Ad: into Chh: — 
March 10. Hannah Everet was Admitted into the Chh: 
March 31. Susannah Swift was Admitted into the Chh 

12 



June i6. Elisabeth Wood was Admitted into the Chh : 
October 27. Edward Bollard & wife made confession ... & owned 
the Covenant 

[12] 
I'or the Year 1755. 
Baptisms 

January 13 Elijah Baker Child Mary 

January 20. Royall KoUock Child Cornelius 

April 13. John Comey Child Jerusha 

May 18. Stephen Hawse & Simion Tupper Children. Patience & John 

June 8. Simeon Tupper & John Sumner Children Elisabeth & Wil- 
liam 

June 22. Jacob Hewins' Child Sarah 

June 29. John Draks Twins Will-. & Joanna John Hixsons Child. 
Mehitable 

July 3. Stephen Hollans child Huldah 

July 20. Jere*'. Gould'^ Child Ezra. 

August 10 my Son Philip was baptised 

August 24. Lieu^ Billings Child. Jacob. 

Nov : 9. Sam" : Cony Child Susannah. 

Deaths 
Feb. 19 Peletiah Esty Child was buried. 
Feb. 20. Eb'". Billing Child was buried 
Feb. 25 Elder Hewins was buried 
March 18. John Whites Son Simeon was buried 
April 13 W.- Whood Child was buried 
April 18. John White oldest dau was buried 
May 3 Widow Hewins was buried. — 
May 12 John White Son Levi was buried. — 
June 6 Mrs Gilbirt was buried 
June 8 W™- Tolman Child was buried 
June 29. Massah Gilbert was buried. — 
July 5. Mrs. Tolman was buried 
July 18. Eben : Capen's Son, was buried. 

Marriages 
March 13. I married, John Johnson & Sarah Swift 
April 30 I married George Forrest, & Esther Nichols 
Decem'": 8 I married Sam'. Stacey & Elis'^''. Woods 

Ad: into Chh. 
May 18. Simeon Tupper & wife made confession ... & owned the 

Covenant, & He was admitted into the Chh : 
June 8*'' Margret Payson & Hannah Sumner were Admitted into 

the Chh. — 

[13] 
For the Year 1756 
Baptisms 
January 25 Mr. Guild"*' Children. Lois & Moses. 
March 7. M"". Ephraim Payson jur. Child Judith 

13 



March 21. Sam' Birds Child EHsabeth & Benj". Hewins Child Me- 

hitable 
April 4.^'' Sam'. Cumings Child Joseph 
May 2 Nat : Holmes Child Ann 
August 29 Da". Richard Child Anna & Solomon Gilberts Child 

Solomon 
September 12 Jsaac Johnson Child Benjamin 
October 3 Stephen Holland's Child. MarA\ 
November 30 Jcabod Clark's Child. Elisabeth 

Deaths 
Jan: 15 Simeon Tupper Child burycd. 
May 16 Widow Haws dyed- 
May 22 Lieu'^. Holms wife was buried 
August 20. Sarah Belcher was buried 

Marriages 
August 19. I married Seth Pierce & Angelot Clark 
November 25. I married D°. Bedlow & Hannali Belcher 

Ad: into Chh : 
January 25 Moses Guild & his wife Admitted into the Chh. 
August I Lydia Gilbert was Admitted into the Chh. 
Sep*". 12. Hannah Johnson's [ * ] owned the Covenant. 
October 31. Martha White Benj": Savel j"'. & his wife & Hannah 

Belcher Admitted into the Chh : 

[14] 
For the Year 1757 

Baptisms 
Sam^ Lovel^ Child Ebenezer January 2. 
My Son Oliver January 30 
March 13. Elijah Baker Child Susannah & Simeon '["upper's Child 

Thomas. 
April 24- Isaac Johnson** Child Ruth. 

May 23. Elijah Capen's Child Sam': & Benj°. Savels Child Hannah. 
July ID. Mr. Gannet Child. Benjmin. t 
July 24. M"" Comey's Child Oliver 
August 7. M^ John Hixson's Child, Joseph. 
Sep: 4. M^ Sam'. Cumings •'"'■. Child Elisabeth 
Sep': 18 M'". Jacob Hewins Child Hannah 
Sep*-. 25. M"-. Jacob Esty ■^"°. Child Jacob 
October 17. M*". Benj^. E.sty Child tjnity. 
December 25 Stephen Haws child Stephen 
Dec: II John .Sumners Child Hepzibah 

Deaths 
Benj". Gannets Son Benj°. Febr. 7 
March. 7 Two Children of the Morses 
October 13 M'". Jer: Belcher's Jnfant Child was buried 

* The word wife has been blotted out. 

j Benj. Gannet who married Deborah .Sampson the Revolutionary Heroine. 

14 



Marriages 
October 6. I married David Man & Anna Randal 
Nov: 17 I married Zebulon Holmes & Abigail Savel 
Nov. 24 I married Nat : Clark & Mary * Coney. — 
November 29. I married Edward - Bridge Savel t & Mary Richard.s 
December 22. I married William Billing & Sarah Xason 

Add: into Chh: 
July 10. Admitted Sam'. Cumings Jur. & his wife 
September 25 Admitted lacob Esty '""''. & his wife 

[15] 
Tor the 'i ear 1758. — 
Baptisms 
Feb: 12. Sam^: Coney ''^. Child Jacob. 
Feb: 26. J baptised Moses Guild Child. Abnah. 
May 17 I baptised M''. Gould Child Zeppurah 
April 4. Isaac Johnsons Child Hannah. 
Jcabod Clark Child Eben''. July 5. 
July 9. Nathaniel Holmes Child Stephen 
August 13. Stephen Holland's Child Massa 
August 27. Ephraim Pay son Child Samuell 
Sep*". 17. John Johnson Children Joshua & Benjamin. 
Nov : 5. Edward bridge Savil Child William 
December: 3 My Son Edward was baptised. 
December 31. David Richards Son Elijah. 

Deaths 
January 30 Pelatiah Whittemore was buried 
Feb: i Solomon Gilbert Child was buried 
June 12 Eben''. Billings Child was buried 
October latter end Cap*^ Eb'". Billings was buried 
December 4. Tim: Morse Child was buried 

Marriages 
February 9. I married Ezekiel Peirce & Patience Copp. — 
March 30 I married Nat : Morse & Susannah Bacon 
August 24 — I Married Comfort Why ton & Grace M^-Faden 
Nov : 14 I married W". Richards & On : Cummings 

Add: Chh: 
June II. Admitted Jeremiah Belcher Ju"'. & wife 
August 27. Elisabeth Hixson was Admitted into the Chh : 
November 5 t Edward Bridge Savel & his wife made Confession . . . 

& Owned the Covenant 
Nov: 12. Elisabeth Capen made Confesion ... &- owned the 

Covenant. 

* Written over Sarah. 

t Edward Bridge Savel was Captain of the ist Company of Stoughtonham Militia, 
under Colonel Robinson. They marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775. He was 
captain of other companies, serving seven years. 

I This figure has been marked over. It may be a 6. 

15 



[i6] 
For the Year 1759 

Baptistns 
January. 7^1 Nat'. Clark ■'"°'- Child. Mary 
Feb: 4. W.- Billings Child- Oliver 
Feb: 11. Jacob Esty's Child Oliver 
March 4. Elisabeth Capin's child Unis 
March* 8. VV". Savage Child Jesse. & Elijah Baker's child Me- 

hitable 
April 15. Benj" Savil child Sarah. 

May II. I baptised Reuben Tuppers children Abigail & Reuben 
Aug. 5. Benj. White Children baptised. Mehitable, Mary & Moses. 
Sep: 23. Cap^ Sam'. Billings Spencer & Simeon Tapper'^. Elisabeth 
Sep"". 30. Benj. Gannits Joseph & M'". Belchers Sarah. 
Dec: 30. John Hixsons Child Jeremi. 
Octo: 14. Moses Guild Samuel 

Nov: 18. Royall Kollock Mary & Sol: Gilbert^ Eben'. 
Nov. 25. Jacob. Hewins Child John 

Deaths 
Feb. 22 M'^ Whittimore was buried 
May 7. Josiah Morse Child buried 
May 12 Ezekiel Pierce's wife was buried 
May 21 Joseph Ingraham** Child buried 
Elisabeth Capen's Child buried 
Ezekiel Peirce 

Marriages 
January 4 I married Nat: Capen & Susanna Swift. — 
June 26 I Married Jsaiah Tolman, & Margaret Robins 
July ^^^ I married Lieu*^. Timothy Bacon of Natick & Sarah White 

Widow of Stoughton And Joshua Whittemore & Susannah Pay 

son. 
Nov. 27. I married W.~ Hewins & Ruth Cumings 
Nov : 29. I Mar''. Josiah Blackman & Experience Fuller. 
December, I married Thomas Manley & Experience Swift. 

Add: Chh: 
Jan-^'. 7. Nat : Clark & his wife Addmitted into y*" Chh : 
February. 4 W."^ Richards Ju"". & his wife Sarah Billing wife of W.~ 

Billings, & Daniel Bacon Admitted into the Chh : — 
March 18 Judith Payson Addmitted into the Chh. 
Aug: 5. Benjamin White & wife Ad: into the Chh: 
Sep : 9 SuSannah Whittemore Admitted into y*" Chh 
Oct 28- Experience Fuller Admitted into the Chh : 

[I/] 
For the Year 1760. — 

Baptisms 
January 2y. juditli Jngrahani 
Feb: 3. W^. Tolman, child. Daniell. &- W-. Richards child Ann. 

* Written over -il^ril. 

16 



Feb: lo. Nat: Capen^ Child Ebenezer 
Feb. 24. John Rhodes. Zebulon 
April 26. John Drakes Zalpha 
June 8. Jeremiah Gould Seth 
July 6 Natha'. Holms. Abagail 
July 13. Joshua VVhittemore Sam' : 
July 20. Benj". Hewins. Experience 
August ID. Edward Savil Child Mary 
Aug*. 24. Josiah Blackman Children Josiah & Experience 
* 

Sep: 7. M"". Comey'^. Spencer 
Oc : 5. Benj : Esty's Child Job. 

Oc: 12. Sam: Rhodes children [torn] m*. Adam. A[bi]gail & Elisa- 
beth 
John Holms Twins Kesiah, & Hannah 
Nov : 23 Job : Rhodes Joshua 
Nov: 28 John Johnson Child Lydia 

Deaths 
April I Cap*. John son Was buried 
April 6 W-'^. Warrin was buried 
May 6 M"". Deberiks buried 
June. 4 M"^. Boyden 
June 28 Elisabeth Capen Buried 
July 25 M"^ Ingraham buried 
Nov: 28 M™ Capen buried 

Marriages 
Feb: 7. I Married Benjamin Carril & Judith Ingram 
March 6. I married Sam^ Payson t & Sarah Noys. — 
March 27 J married Elisabeth Savel & Ensign Robins 
June 26. I Married Joseph white & Sarah Drake 
July 3. I married Sam'. Lovel & Mary Smith. 
August 5 J married Nathan Clark & Hannah Everet. 
October 2. J Married Elijah Hawse & Abigail Everet. — 

Ad — Clth: 
Judith Jngraham. Ad: into Chh: Jan>'. 27. 
Josiah Blackman Add: into Chh: 
Feb the 24 

October 12 Abigail Rhodes Admitted into Chh: 
December 21. John Everet made Confession ... & was Admitted 

into Chh 



For the Year 1761 
Baptisms 
March 15: Solomon Gilbert's Child Lydia. 
March 21. Sam Coney Child David 

* Sep: 7. Joseph Rhodes Spencer. [This entry has been ruled out.] 
I Captain Stoughtonhain Company 1775. 

17 



[18] 



March 22 Nat. Capeii"s Child. Elisabeth 

March 29. [ * ] Ephraim Payson : Susannah 

April 5. Zehulon Hohnes Children. Zebulon & Abigail 

Aprill 19. Eh'' Billings Child Hepzihah & Widow Lewis Child Ben- 
jamin. 

Aprill 26. Sam'. Payson Child Sanniell 

May. 17. Sam'. Bird^ Child Ebenezer. 

June 20. \V"'. Coney's Children Wille & Molle 

July 4. Jer: Belcher jun''. Amey & Ben. SaveP. Oliver 

July 20. Jacob Johnson. Oliver 

Sep: 6. Jacob Esty J'". [torn]anuiel & | t ] [tornjoses Guild Luce. 

Aug* 30 W.~ Richards Jeremiah 

Sep: 20 Jsraell Smith:!: Child Jsraell 

Nov: 8 Elij. Hawse Child Cloe 

Nov: 29. John Sumners Child John 

Sam: Cumings Child. Sam^. 

Nat: Clarks Child Elisabeth 
Deaths 

March 21. Sam': Coney* Child David Dyed 

May 12 Solomon Gilbert's Child dyed Lydia 

May 29 M''. Noise buried.. 

Sep: [blot]. M'' Payson buried 

Sep: 15 James Field buried 

December 15. Sol: Gilbert Child buried. 
Marriages 

January 8 J married Seth Boyden & Mary Patten 

January 29 I married John Oliver & Huldah Rhodes 

Feb : 5. I Married Ezekiel Pierce & Phebe Farrington 

Feb: 16. I Married John Forrest & Susannah Perry 

Aprill 16 I married Jonathan Belcher & Sarah Richards 

Nov: 12. T married Tho"-: Whitney & Mehitable Bacon. 
Add: CItli. 

March 28 Abigail Holmes Ad: into the Chh 

April 26. Sani^ : Pay son Admitted into the Chh 

June 6. Sarah Payson wife of Sam'. Pay son Admitted into Chh 

July 20 Eben'. Hewins. Tacob Johnson & wife Admitt : into Chh. 

Sep^ 6. Elijah Hawse & wife Ad: into y*'. Chh. 

Nov: 13. The wiie of John Everet was Ad. into. Chh: 



For the "W'ar 1762. 
Baptisms 
Feb; 28 E''. Hewins Child Mihitable 
March 28 Royall Kollock Child Zeruiah 
April 18. Jsaac Johnson Child Obed. 
June 20 Bcnj". Billings Child. Beniamin 

' Solon. Gilbert's fblotted out.l 

I W. Wlioofl (blotted out.l 

i Captain of .Mann Co. .\]pr. tq, 1775. 

18 



[19] 



June 2"/ Joshua WhitteniDrc Joshua 
July 18. Nat. Morse Child Nalhaniell 
Aug: 15. John Hixson, Child Olive & Elijah Baker Child Mary, 

Anna 
Aug: 29 My Child Calvin; Gannets Jonathan Z: Holms Olive. 
Octo: 16. John Comey. Abigail & Nathan Clark Etheridge 
Nov : 13. W~. Coney, Priscilla 
December 5 |worn|t Morey 

Deaths 
Jan-^. 14 M'-. Hobbs Buried 
March 9. M''. Harlow Child Buried 
June 2 VV" Billing Child Oliver was buried 
May 25 John Sumncrs Child was buried 
Sep''. 4 Ezikiel Peirce Child was buried 
Nov : 22 M''*'. Whittimore buried 
December 3. Nat : Morse Child buried 

Marriages. 
January. 14 J Married W". Marshall & Phebe Wclmau 
October 7 I married Solomon Coming & Rebeccah Coney. 
October 19 J married Philip Withington & Rebccah Fuller 
Nov: 8. I Married Thomas Nason & Jemima Clark. 
December 2 J married Sam'. Holmes & Susannah Cumings. 
December 28. I married John Estv & Abigail Gould. 

Add. Chh :' 
June 20. Benj". Billings & wife made Confession ... & & Admitted 

into the Chh : 
Nov: 13. Jon"* : Belcher & wife Ad: into Chh: 

[20] 

For the Year 1763- 

Baptisuis 
Sam : Payson Child John. 

March 13. Na*^- Capen Child Susanna &• Jonathan Belchers Olive 
March 20. John Johnson Child John. 
March : David Fisher Children David Moses & Aaron- 
April 3. fere''. Belcher jun^ Child Edward. 
April. E^. Bridge Save! child Olive 
May I. Sam'. Bird. Oliver 
May 30. Tho : Fisher : Mary 
June 12. Jacob Hewins. Joseph 

June 19. W~. Richards Jun''. William & John Sumner Child Jsese 
July 17. D"'. Hewins Child, Catherine 

Aug 7. Moses Guild. George Jacob Esty. Child Mehitable. 
Sep'": 12. Benj". Savel Child Renjannin. Elijah Hawse Elijah John 

Holmes Keziah 
Sep'': 19 Eben''. — Billing Child Jonas. 
Octo : 9. Joseph Rhodes Child A.sa. 
Octo : 30. Isaac Johnson Child Josiah 
December 25. Jacob Johnsons Child Jacob. 

19 



Deaths 
March Ruso French man 
April 5. M'". Gilbert 
August 3 Cap*. Tolenian was buried 
Decern'": 5. Jere: Belchers Child Buried 

Marriages 
Aprill 19 J married John Coney & Kesia Holmes 
Aprill 22 Nat. Fisher & Hannah Baker. — 
May 5- I Married W~": Withinton & Elisabeth Richards. 
Octo: 13. I Mar: W"~. Bacon & Kizia Gould 
Nov: 29. Binjamin Richards & Mary Belcher. — 

Add: into Chh: 
May 12. Add: into the Chh: Damaris Capen 
July 17. Add: D'". Hewins & his Wife. 
October 9 Admitted into Chh : Rebecah Cumings 
October 30. Admitted into Chh ; Sarah Hewins 

[21] 
For the Year 1764. 

Baptisms 
Feb: 19. Israeli Smith Child Levi 
March 11. Philip Withinton Child Rebeccah 
March 18. Silas Morse. Child Silas 

Aprill I. Eb"". Hewins. Susannah & Benj". Billings Sarah. 
April 8. Sam^: Holmes Child. Sam^: 
April 15. Nat: Clark'« Child Abigail 
April 29. John Esty Child John 
May 8. John Coney Child Sarah. 
May 12. M"". Gay Children Abigail & Louis 
May 20. John Everet Child Susannah. & W". Withinton Child 

William 
May 28. Nat : Kingsbury Child Oliver 
June 10. M"". Whittemore Child Susannah. — 
July 29. Royal! Kollock Child Thomas. 
Sep"-. 9 Benj°. White Child. Saml 
Oct: 29. Sam^ Holmes Child Elijah. 

Deaths 
March 25 Philip Withinton Child Rebeccah was buried 
May 9*'' Zebulon Holms Child was buried 
May 19 Elisabeth Esty was buried. 
May 24 Benj°. Billings wife was Buried 
July I. Daniel Bacon buried 
July 8 Nat : Capen Child buried 
July 13 Sam: Bird Child buried 
W: Billings Child buried Aug: 23 
E: Baker October 15 
Nov: 10: Eb"". Esty's wife 

Marriages 
January 11 J Married Jonathan Clark & Mary Ingram 

20 



January 20 J Marryed Eleazer Blackman & Mary Tupper 
Feb: 7. J Married Jacob Hawse & Elisabeth Hewins. — 
Aug*. 9- J married Nehemiah Clark & Judith Pay son 
Sep"". 27. J married Noah Woodward & Mary Fuller 
Octo. 4 I married Jacob Gould & Unity Holmes 
Octo 24. I Married Micah Allen & Catherine Everet 
Nov: 7 Mat Puffer & Olive Bo [den] 

Add: Chh: 
January 15 Philip Withinton & his Wife Ad: into Chh: 
March 11. Wife of Silas Morse Add. into Chh: 
March 18 Add. Jo: Jngraham 

April 8. — Ad: Sam': Holmes & wife & William Withinton & his wife 
Aprill 29. Ad: John Esty & Wife & Abigail Gay. 
May 8. Add : John Coney & his wife 
May ID. Add. Hannah Kingsbury. 
July 8. Mary Savell Add : 
July 29. Deliverance Morse was Add : 

[22] 
For the Year 1765 
Baptisms 
Feb: 11. P: Witthington: Hannah 
Feb: 17. John Johnson Mary 
March 10. Sam' Payson'^ Sarah 
Joseph Morse'^ Child Charlotte & Na*. Morses Child Hannah. March 

17- 
March 21. Jer. Belchers. Susannah 
April 14. Josiah Blackman. Mary 
May 5. E. Baker Child. John. & D''. Hewins^. Mary 
May 25. Sam': Bird Child. Mary 

June 2. W~. Richard Child. John. & Nehemiah Clark'" Olive 
June 23. Zebulon Holmes Child Olive 
July 21. Benj. Richard Child Mary 
July 28. John Drake's Child Andrew. 
Aug: II. Benj: Savel Child. John. 
Sepf. 8. Edward Savil Child Edward 
[worn]"". 16. John Coney Child Ellenor. 
June John Holmes Child Enoch 
Decern: 29 John Esty Child Elisabeth 
Nov. 17 Tho^ Fisher Child Lucee 
Dec: I Benj. Gannet Mary. 
Gill Morse Esrom 
Micah Allen Micah 
E. Blackman Submitt. 

Deaths 
Jan: 6. M"". Allins Child buried 
June II. Mr Nehemiah Clark Child Buried 
June 24: D"". Hewins Child buried 
June 25. Nat: Capen was buried 

21 



Marriages 

Alarch 28 I niarrieu John Dunbar & Esther Pioyden 

& Jacob Boyden &: Sarah Patten 

April 16 J Married Gay & Mary Esty. — 

April. 25. J married James Field & Mary Wood Cock 

May 7. I married Ezra Marsh & Susannah Guild 

Aug: 30 I marryed Consider Osyer & Deliverance Rhoads. . 

Dec''. 19 I Marryed David White & Louis Morse And Daniel Rich- 
ards & Ann Coney 
Add: Chh 

March 31 Admitted into y'' Chh Benjam": Richards & his Wife 

Aug^ later End The Widow Noise Received f- the Chh of Taunton 

Nov 12 Ad: Mary Tupper 

Decem: 1 Micah Allen & his Wife Admitted into the Chh. 

i:-'3] 

For the Year 1766. 
Baf'tisms 

Jan''. 26. E'". Capen Child Nathaniel 

Feb: 24. Nathan Clark'*. Thacher 

March 30. Joshua Whittemore Child Joseph : W^. Withinton : Na- 
thaniell 

April: 6. Sol: Gilbert. Child Ruth & \\ \ Billings Jun'.* Child. 
William 

Aprill 13. John Everet"* Elisabeth 

May 28 Jacob Esty'*^ Samuell & E''. Billings Mary 

June 3 Lev*. Guild [ t ] Nath". Joseph Rhodes Drucilla & M''. 
Fairbanks. Benj". 

July 27. Jacob Johnson : David 

Aug: 3. Ruben Tupper Thomas 

Sep: I D"*. Hewins Child Mary. 

Sep: 15. J. Sumner Hanah. J. Coney Eunice. Royall Kollock Elisa- 
beth J. Johnson. Abigail. — 

Sep: 21. Jo: Morse Javin. Ne: Clark .\sa. Nat: Morse Lucee. ■ — 

Sep : 28 E. Hewins Child Flannah 

Oct: 10 Moses Guild. Charles 

Nov : 30 Jer : Belcher Elisabeth 

Decem''. 15 Sam': Holmes Child Susannah 

D--. 28. Ben. Richard Child Elisabeth 
Deaths 

March 28 Josiah Morses Wife buried 

May 20. Micah Allen Child buried 

June 17. Nathan Clarks Child buried 

June 22. Nathaniel Clarks Child buried 

Aug: 4. Ruben Tupper Thomas Child buried 

De : 8 John Smith Ju" & Child buried 

D''. Cap' [stained] Child & Job [ rj: ] child buried 

* Capt. William Billings under Cnl. Gill. Feb. i6. 1779. 

t Drucilla [ruled out. | 

I .'^ta^ned. Probably Tiipl'cr. 

22 



Marriages 
Aprill 3 J married Benj". Jngrahani & Abigail Ivhods 
Aprill I J J Marryed Jacob Leonard & Molly llillings 
Aprill 23 J married Joseph Evens & Amey Payson 
Aprill 30 I married Elkanah Hixson & Hannah Hew ins 
Aug*^. . 7 Married Ezekiel Capen & Mary Cumniings 
Oc. 30 I marryed Sam'. Hixson & Hannah Harlow 
Nov: 3 I married Henry Payson & Mary Johnson And \V . Price & 

Susannah Capen 
D'". 18 I marr^'ed Enoch llewins & Sarah Hewins 

Add: Chh: 
Feb 24. Add: W~. Hewins Wife 
Aprill 6 W-. Billings & Wife Ad : into Chh : 
May 12 Add M^-" Fairbanks 

June 16 Deacon Fuller's Wife Add: f- Dorchester Chh. 
1)''. 15 Susannah Price made Confession ... & the Chh manifested 

y''. forgivness. — 

[24] 
I "or tli.c I Year 1767] 
Baptisms 

Feby 15. P. Withertons Child Philip 

Feb: 22. Ruth Tisdall was Baptised 

March i. D". Richards Ju''. Child Ba])tised. Edward. • 

March 15. Sam'. Payson Child Meletiaii. 

March 22. Micah Allen Child Catherine 

April 5. Sol: Gays Child Joell. — 

April. 19. Sam'. Bird'" Child Sarah; Jacob Hawse Jacob & Eze : 
Capen : Ezekiel. 

April 25. John Johnson : Job. 

May 3. Wi : Price Nancy 8i Jsraell Smiths Joel 

Alay 26. Gilead Morse : Gilead 

June 21. W~. Richard: Sarah 

July 5. Oliver [blot] Children Huldah. Mary. Susannah 

.A^nd Jo: Belcher's Hannah 

Sep'". 14. W~^. Billings Child. C'liver 

Sep''. 27. Na^ : Kingsbury Child Hannah: Rcnjamin Fairbanks Jere- 
miah Mat: Puffer^ John & Olive 

Nov : 8. Bap : Zeb : Holmes Child. Jesse. — 

Nov: 15. Lem: Fuller's Child Jeremiah. 

December 27. I Baptised Henry Payson''' Child. Patience- 
Dcaths 

Aprill 30 was Buried Stephen Holland. 

Aug-*. 23. Eliz. Tolman Buried 

Dec : 2. lohn Smith was buried 

* Children Baptised to End of this Year 441. 
Deaths in the Same time 117 in Number. 

" Tliis item was written lengthways of the pasre. 

^3 



[25] 

Marriages 
January. 12. J Married Uriah Atherton * & Mary Savage: So Called. 

1 

March 12. I Married Lem: Fuller & Ruth Tisdall 

* 
April. 30 J Married Edmund Quincy t & Hannah Gannet 
June 25. I Married Nath : Coney -^"r & Mary Clark. 
July 9. I Married W~. Ornisbey & Jane Ripley 
Aug'. 28. I Married Daniel Allen & Sarah Baker 
Dece*": 2. I niarryed Richard Hixson-^"". & Mary Stickney 

Add: into Chh: 
Feb: 8. Daniel Richard Ju"". & wife Add: into Chh: 
Feb. 22. Ruth Tisdall Ad: into the Chh: 
March 15. Ad. Ezekiel Capen & his Wife 
March 30. Ad: Mary Atherton. 
April 19. Ad : Jacob Hawse & his wife. 
May. 3. Ad Rebecah Tupper. 
July 5. Ad: Huldah Oliver 
Sep*". 21. Ad. Matthias Puffer Ju"-. & his Wife 
Oct: II. Ad. Mary Johnson 

[26] 
For the [Year 1768] 

Baptisms 
Feb: John Oliver Child John 
March 13. W". Coney^., Child Daniel. Benj : Hewins Child David. 

Nathan Clark's Child Etheridge. Benj: Richard. Binjamin. — 

Jacob Haws Child Sarah. 
March 27. W". Witherton Child Name Elisabeth. 
April 3 Jsaac Johnson Child Daniel. 

•Superintendent of the StoughtDnham forge for the manufacture of cannon for 
the Revolutionary War. 

f Here the baptisms of Ruth Tisdall, Edward Richards and Meletiah Puffer were 
entered and crossed out. 

J Edmund Quincy V., oldest son of Edmund Quincy IV. of Braintree and Boston 
and his wife Elizabeth, (Wendell), was born in Boston Apr. 15, 1725. His sister 
Dorothy was the wife of Gov. John Hancock. Hannah Gannet, dau. of Benjamin 
and Mary (Copeland) Gannet, was the third wife of Edmund Quincy V. About the 
time of his marriage to her, he bought a farm of 150 acres in Stoughtonham (now 
Sharon). On June 6, 1770, in company with Col. Richard Gridley and Joseph Jack- 
son, he purchased 450 acres, including Massapoag Pond, for the purpose of extract- 
ing iron ore for the manufacture of war supplies. They bought a furnace, partially 
drained the pond, built roads, dug and prepared the ore, and had the product in 
readiness to supply the Committee of Safety, who on Jan. 24, 1774, ordered cannon, 
ball and shot, in certain quantities, to be carried to storehouses in Worcester, Sud- 
bury, etc. From these stations, supplies were distributed to the colonists, who were 
thus made ready for the Lexington alarm and the raids that were to follow. Mor- 
tars also were made and tested at the Pond, sent in to Roxbury, and used for the 
fortification of Dorchester Heights. 

The part thus played in Colonial History by Edmund Quincy \'. was no less im- 
portant than that of his brother-in-law, John Hancock, the Governor-to-be, and their 
friend Samuel Adams, whose names, however, are better known to posterity. 

24 



April II. Benj : White. Bulah 

May I. Atherton Child .Susannah 

May 22. Ed. Savil Child Elisabith 

May 27. Elijah Baker James 

June 5. Elk: Hixson. Hannah 

Jun. 12. M"". Raynolds Benj : 

July 31. Benj : Savil. Susannah. 

August 14. Moses Guild Nat' 

Aug*^. 21. Sol: Gay*. David 

Sep. 4. Benj. Billings James Eleazer Blackman: Philip Nehe'^. Clark. 

Elkanah 
Sep"". II. W~. Hewens Ruth, William, Eben"". Amasa & Rebeccah 
Sep*". 2. Was Baptised My Son Francis & Lemuel Hixsons Child 

Lucee 
Oct. 15. R. Kollocks. Esther Nat. Morse's Nancey Henry Payson- 

Mary 
October 23. John Hixsons Eunice & Gate 
De"": Sam': Hixson Child Cloee * 

Deaths 
April 19 M" Payson was Buried 
June 8. John Everets Child 
Nov*". M" Tupper 

[27] 

Marriages 
March 29. I Married Josiah Morse & Dority Wood. — 
March 31. I Married Benj : Bats & Abigail Billings. 
Aug: 25 I Married Zephiniah Wood & Mary Lyon 
Sep"". 14. Married Job Swift & Rebeccah Cummins 

Ad: into Chh: 
May 22. Ad: into Chh: Hannah Hixson & Catharine Raynolds 
December. 10. Ad: Sam': Hixson 

[28] 
For the [Year 1769] 

Baptistns 
Jan: i. Sam': Hixson^. Cloe 
Jan. 29. Jer : Belcher's Child Andrew. John Johnson^ Child Dina. 

Gilead Morses John 
March 19. Sam' Hixs: Zilpah 
March 26. Jos : Morse. Joseph 
April 2. W— . Richards Jun"". Child Susannah & P: Witherton. Eben- 

ezer 
April 9. Sylvanus Clark Oliver 

April 23. Micah Allin's Child Name. Micah Sam'. Payson'" Unice 
May 8. D"". Hewins Sam' : 
May 13. J". Belchers Mary. 
May 20. Lem. Fuller^. Eben"". 
May 27. Nat : Clark. Hosea 
June 4. Dan : Richards Jabez. 

• This item has been crossed out. 

25 



June 17. W". Billing'^ Joseph 

July 9. D" Birds Hannah 

July 9. Jos : Black". Adam 

Aug. 13. John Coneys Elijah. 

Aug. 27. E. Hewins Marcy & Elij. Hawse Silence 

Sep: 25. W-. Price. Susannah. - 

Nov : 6. T^ Fisher Child Ezra. 

D'-. 3. Sil : Clark Mille 

IX 10 W: Billing Raihell 

Deaths 
Jan>'. 6 M'« Payson Buried 
Jan^'. 18. Solomon Willis Child buried 
Feb^. 18. The Widow Randal Was buried 
April 12. M'' Eben''. Esty buried 
April 15. Marg. Esty buried 
April 29. Sam. Holms Child buried 
May 8. M'' Stearns buried 
May 18 Jo. Clark Child buried 
June 29. Damaris Capen Buried 
July 3. D°. Bird Twin Child buried 
Sep''. 24. M'-'^ Capen buried 
Oct: ID Elijah Haws buried 
No: 6. Widow Hixs : Buried 
Nov: 12. The Widow Hawse Child Elij- buried 
Decem''. 28 M'-r Ruso : 

[29I 
Marriages 

June 14. J Married Joshua Swift & Mary Hewins 

July 31. I Married Jira Swift & Waitstill Lyon 

December 14. I Married Solomon Esty & Hannah Leonard. - 

Ad. into Chh. 

April 3. Add : Rachel Clark 

[30] 
For the | Year 1770] 
Baptisms 
Feb. 18. Lois Gould, Lucee 

Feb: 25 Jsaac Johnson. Matthias , 

April 8. Jacob Hawse Louis 
April 22. Elij : Bakers Bathsheba 
Nathan Clark Child. Nathan 
April 29. Cor: Hixson. Zube. 
May. Neh : Clark. Catee. 

June 3. John Sumners Children Roger & Sarah. 
July 8. Sam'. Holms Susannah 
July 22. Elea^'. Blackman Ruth 
Augt. 5. Mos: Guild. WMlliam 
& W-. Witherton Sarah. 
Aug*. 26 W-. Coneys child. Ellis 

26 



Sep''. 9. S: Gilbert Child, Delight 

&• Henry Payson'** Child Cloe. — 

Sep''. 3. Nat: Morse child Nat: 

Oc'. 14. G. Morse Urbane. 

Sol : Gay Child Jason. 

D''. 2. M''. Whittemore Child, i^dunnid. & Jos: Randal. John cv Polle. 

D''. 23. Benj : Savil Unicc 

Deaths 
lan^' 9. Wid Hawse Child Silence Buried. 
Feb: 17. M'". Gannet Negro Child 
March 5. M'' Ouincy child Buried 
April 8 D". Bird Child buried 
May, 4. Ornisby & M'". Belchers Child. — 
May. Jsaac Johnson Child buried 
June 18 Jacob Esty wife buried: 
Aug'. 28 Leni : Capen Child buried 
Sep''. 1 5. Sam. Hixs". wife buried 

[31] 

Marriages 
Nov: 15. Married Nat: Cuuimings & Cloe Forrest. 
Dec'". 5. Married Cap'. Nat : Curtis & my daughter Elisabeth. — 
December 20. I married Sam'. Randal & Elisabeth Everett. 

Add: Church 
Feb: 18. Lois Gould Ad: into Chh : — 
Sep: 30. Sarah Hewins Ad: into Chh 
Nov: 18. Ad: into the Chh: Asa Clark & his wife. Hannah Johnson. 

& Esther Randal. 

[32] 
For the [Year 1771] 
Baptisms 
F"eb : 24. Jer : Belcher's Edwa"' 
And John Johnson : Sarah. 
March 4. M'■^ Kollock Sarah 
April 8. Ezra Smith. John 
& Eze^. Capen — Anna 
Lem : Fuller Child. Flannah April 28 
May 12. .Sol. Esty Mary 
May 20. M : Allen Mary 
June 2. Sam : Payson Joseph 
June 23. John Holmes two children. 
July 16. Zeb: Hoi: Benj". 
July 30. Nat". Kings : Zibble 
Aug'. 25. Ned : Savil. Jeruslia 
Oct: 27. P: Wither: Elijah 
Nov 24. John Bird. Abner. 
D"". 9. S. Esty. Nancy. 
D''. 15. Jo. Belcher. Jonathan 
D'". 29. En: Hewins Sarah 

27 



May 


16 


May 26. 


Augt 


. 18. 


Aug: 


22. 


Sep'-. 


28. 


Add. 


April 


28 


June 


9- 


Nov: 


10. 


Nov: 


24. 



Deaths 
Feb: begining Moses Guild Two Children Buried 
March 4. M^. Kollock Twin Child buried 
Oc: 13. Henry Payson was buried 
D"-. 4. Sam': Randal Child buried. 

. . f33] 

Marriages 

Aprill 10 J married John Bird & Joanna Esty. — 

I mar: E"". White & Deborah. Fuller 

William Randal & unity Swift Married 

. Ezekiel Keith & Mary Drake — 

Abiel Drake & Charity Hewit. 

Elijah Billing. & Huldah Cobb. 

Chh: 

Stephen Hawse M™ Drake Sol : Esty & Wife 

Elisabeth Fisher Add. in Chh 

Ad: Sam'. Randal & wife. & John Bird & wife. — 

Add. Sarah Hewins 

[341 

For the [Year 1772] 

Baptisms 
Jany. 12. J. Johnson Esther 
Jany. 19. J. Randal Child Ammi Ruhamah. — 
Mar: i. W-. Bill:». Jessee 
March 25 Gilbert child°. Moses & Aaron 
April 12. Zeb. Holmes Mary 
Ap: 19. S: Gay. Jeremiah 
Ap: 26. J. Coney. Elisabeth. 
May II. Sil: Clark Rachel 
May II. W-: Payson. Silence 
May 18 Athertons Otis 

June 8. Job Swift Children Job & Samuel. — 
June 17. Jira Swift Child™. Jira & Cypha & 
June 14. Benj° Richds Child Luke 
Augt. 2. D°. Bird Sarah 
& J" Everits. Jasan 
Nov: 16. Sam': Holms Oliver 
Df. 13. E*-. Black": Olive 

Deaths 
Jany. 4: D". Savel wife buried. 
Sam'. Holms Child buried 12. Feb^. 
March 30. Gilberts Twins Buried 
April II. M"" Price Child buried. 
May 16. D". Fuller was buried 
Nov: 19. Sam'. Payson Child Buried 
Nov: 25. Sam". Randal Died 
[June 3. Jacob Fisher's Wife] * 
[Aug*. 26 Lemuel Fuller Child Buried] * 

* These two items have been blotted out. They belong in the next year. 

28 



July Buried Meridith Esty 

[351 

Marriages 
January 2 I married Aaron Esty & Meridith Leonard 
Jany. 14. Tho^: Baker & Elisabeth Coney. 
Sep"". 24. I mared Aaron Lewis & Sarah White 
Oct: 6 Mared Esq: Hewins & Widow Fuller 
D'". ID Married Benj°. Hewins & Anna Rhodes. 
[May 20 Married Caleb Johnson & Elisabeth Pribble.] * 

Add: Chh: 
May ID. Ad: Job Swift & wife. — 
May latter End Jira Swift & wife 
June 20. Ad: Mehitable Holmes 
July 26. Ad: Jemima Toleman & Mary Capen 

[36] 
For the [Year 1773] 
Baptisms 
Jany. 17. W: Rich: Oliver 
Feb. 7. W~ Witherton Catee 
March 10 L: Fuller. Daniel 
March 28. B. Savel Joseph 
Ap: 18 J. Bird Bettee. — 
May I. Ez : Capen. Susannah 
May. 9. Neh: Clark Luther 
E"". Capens Oliver 
Asa. Clark Prudence 
Jo: Swift Mary 

French: Asa Jo: Johnson. Hezkiah Jacob Johnson, Massa 
Lem: Lyon Child Marrineda. 
. Sol: Esty. Merideth 
Ebcn"". Hewins Child. Ebenezer 
Oct : 20. Nat°. Clark :'^ Child Spencer 
D''. II Roy: Kollock. Hannah 
D 19. Micah Allen Elijah 
Oct: E: Payson Child Rhalf. 

Deaths 
March Nat: Cummings wife — Buried 
April 23 George Allin^ W^ife buried 
April 28. Clifford Belcher buried 
May 8. Eli : Capens Wife buried 
June 3. Jacob Fisher^. Wife buried 
June 12 John Everets Child buried 
June 19. Mrs Everett buried 
Aug*. 13 Mrs Hewins buried 
Aug*- 26. Lem : Fullers Child buried 
Sep"". 8 Benj°- Bullards Daugh''. Buried 
John Holms Daugh^ Buried. 

* This item has been crossed out. It belongs in the next year. 

29 



July 15- 


July 15. 


July 25. 


Aug*. 2. 


Aug*. 8. 


Aug*. 15, 


Sep"". 19. 



i^7^ 

Marriages 

Jan-^. 14. Married. Ephr : Payson & Lydia Esty 

Feby. 18. I married Jer: Gore & Hannah Richards 

May 20. Married Caleb Johnson & Eli : Pribble 

Oct 7. I married Jacob Fisher & Sarah Hodges 

Octo 14. T married W^. Rhodes, & Sarah Thor]). 
Deaths 

Sep'". 18. Benj Savel Child, 

Sep: 31. Benj Savel wife buried 

Nov : M''. Billiard 

D'-. 4. John Holms Child.— 

Add: Chh. 
vpril Ti. Ad: Benj". — Farebanks 

June 13 Ad: Joseph Witherson &- Lydia Lyons 

Sep"". 29. Ad: John Flolmes & Elisabeth Billings 
Marriages 

})'. 16. Jacob Hewins & Abigail Hawse 
Marriages 

Nov''. 15. Daniell Gould & Hannah Hixson. Oliver Everet & Su- 
sannah Capen 

Nov: 18. John Richardson & Dorithx X'ining. 

D''. 0. John Drake & Hannah Ti^ daf (^- J". Ev' & Jsabcl Hodges 

[38] 
For the Year | 1774I 

Baptisms 
Jan'*'. 2. En''. Hewins Seth 
Feb: 28 J'\ Randal Child Elisabeth 
Mar: 20. Jer: Belcher Cliild Theodore 
Jo : Coneys Oliver 
Ap: 10 VV-. Hewins Elkanah. G: Morse Luther & Job. Swift Re- 

becah. 
May 9: Lem : Capen. Lem' : 
May. 2Q. Jirah Swift Wiot '* 
June 1 8. W"". Clark Child Jemima 
July 31. Zeb: Flolmes Child Jacob. 
Aug^^ 7. D". Rich". Jacob 
Augf. 14. L: Fuller: Ruth 
Sep'-. 18. D". Bird Child Atherton 
Jacob Hewins, Elijah 
Jo: Morse, Lewis & Sarah. 
Nov''. 28 W~-. Richard Tu''. Luther 

D'. 5. W- Billings J'-. Elkanah X- Tho^ Clark. Abigail. 
D''. 18: Oliver Everet Hrmnah 
rv'. 25: Tho". Baker's Child Sarah. 

Deaths 
Jany 12. Cap^ Sam'. Billings wife buried 

* Town Records sive Wyetli. 

30 



laii-^'. 19. Neh: Clark Child buried 

Feb: 11. Benj". Hawse wife buried 

Feb: 19. M'". Joseph Everet buried 

March 7. Nat: Kingsbury Child buried. 

March 18 Levi Wood 

March 26. Jo: Black: Child buried. 

March E'". Billings Child buried 

March 13. El: Capens Ser*. (iirl. 

April 28. Ste: Hawse buried 

May 8. I". Hawse buried 

D''. 10. Buried Elijah Cai)en [''. 

[39] 

. Marrca^cs 

]an>'. 13 Married. Ephr"' : Pribble & Sileney * Lyon 

Feb: 17 Married W". Lewis & Abigal .Swift 

Aprill 4. Married Elkanah Hixson & Abig'. Rogers 

April 7. Married Joseph Smith 2'^ & Rebecah Puffer 

May 25 Married Elijah ''■ Capen & Priscilla Tisdall 

July 7. Married David Forrest & Abigail Morse 

July 13. David Xewland & Huldah Morse. 

Nov. 3. Married Joseph Turner & Ester Noise : .And W"^. Savage 

& Cloe Cobb. 
D''. 15 I married George Fergusson & My daughter Mary & 22. Lem- 
uel Pain [& Rachel Carpenter.] t 

Add: into Chh : 
Hannah Clark June 5. 
Add: into Chh: Abigail Lewis Sej:)'' 18. 
/\dd. into Chh : Elisabeth Baker 
Add: into Chh: D''. 11. Oliver Everet ."l- wife. 

[40] 
For the "S'ear. | 1773] 

Baptisms 
JanJ'. 8. Silv. Clark Child Experience 

March 5 Sani^ Hixson Unice & Eb''. Blacknian Cliild Susee. 
March 11. D: Fisher Child Mary 
May. Sam' Holmes Amos 
July Ez : Capen. Abigail 
Aug*^. 13. Asa Clark Child Xnia'^a. 
Sep : 10. E''. Capen 
Sep. 25. Ja : Hewins Clifford. 
John Esty. Jeremiah, 

December 10 — Lem' : Lyon, .\ranna. & D". Richards, Xancw 
D'\ 17. Joses Hill 
D'". 31. Cap*. Nathaniel Curtis^ Child Baptised Named ITenrv Bass 

& Sam': Bird** Child Named Rebecah.— 

* Town Records give Celenia. 

t Tlie lower part of this name is worn off, supplied from Town Recorris. 

3T 



Deaths 
Jacob Hewins Child 
M"^. Bacon Feb. 26. 
March 11 D Fisher Child died. 
April 6. Atherton Child buried 
May 6. D°. Savel 
June 7. P. Rhodes wife buried. 

July 13, Nehemiah Clark buried & 14 The wife of Benj°. Hewins 
July 23. Jer: Belcher wife buried. — 28 Benj. Richard Child buried. 
July 31. Jer: Belchers Ju''. Child Buried. 
Aug*. 9 Jer: Belcher was buried. 
Aug*. 10 J°. : Coney Daugh : buried 
Aug*. 12. Jon: Belcher Child buried 
Aug*. I. 15. Clifford Belcher, & Son. 
Ag: 23, his 2\ Son 
Aug: 26, his daugh*'. & 28. his wife. 
Sep : 3. Sarah Wood 

[41] 

Marriages 

D"". 5. Ben: Hawse & Mary Sumner. 

Janu^. 12. Eben'". Esty & Lucy Fuller 

April 6 E^. Tisdal & Ruth Harlow 

Ap^ 27. Nat'. Cumings & Elisabeth white. 

July 31. Jeremiah Richards & Patience Hawse. 

Aug. 22. Levi Tuttle & Huldah Allin 

& Sam^ Capen & Cloe Pitcher. 

Tho^. Clark & Sarah Lewis. 

Oct: 24. Asa Lewis & mary White & 31. Joshua Cory & Cloe Cole- 
well 

Nov. 21. Jo: Belcher & Mary Baker* 

Deaths 
Sep: 28. Howard Child 
29. D°. Birds Child 
John Holms wife 
Soloman Gould 
Elijah Billings Child. 

W"~. Witherton two Children. 

D"". 30. Nathan Clark Son buried. — 

Sep: 4. D". Richard Child 

Sep: 5. Jacob Leonard Child. And. Jacob Cooks wife 

Sep: 6. M"^ Copeland 

Sep: ID. P. Drakes. Child. 

Sep: 18. Nat: Corev^. Child 

19 D". Richards. Child 

20 D". Richards Child 
& D°. Bird Daughter 

21. Jo: Morse & N: Clark Child 

22. D". Richard Son Elijah. 

* Tliis marriage is recorded in the margin of the page. 

32 






SllJt 



CJ^ //d^. //^A^ /^ ^J' 



•^>>.vif^_^.r;«g- 












^ 



!!22: 






r^:^l^^/Zl. \/3. 







In 



'"- $f 



( .^^ A^X-*'"'C 




























'no- 

X 



't 






]-.\l SIMIIJ-: l'.\(.I-. OK 'I'lIK CURTIS KICCOKDS 



Add: Chh.— 
Add: Nov 26 Elijah Bird & Sister Elisabeth. 
Add: D"-. 3. Sam^: Bird Ju"-. & his wife 
Add: D''. 17. Joses Hill. 

[42] 

For the Year [1776] 

Baptisms 
Jan^. 20. Sol : Gays David 
Ditto. J". Randal Frances. 

Jan^ 27. John Holmes Ju"". Jeremiah. W'^. Clarks Child Cloe. 
Feb: 5. Lem: Capen's Child. Elijah. Mr. Jer: Gore Child Hannah. 

Jsrael Smith Nabby. 
March 3. Micah Allen name Nancy 

March 20. Atherton Child Abner & Enoch Hewins Philip. 
Aprill 14. Ruben Tupper child". Azuba & Edward. 
April 21. Gannet. Warren 
Ap: 28. Gilead Morse. Irine 
May. 3 Jira Swift. Azuba 
May. 10. Benj : Richard Bernice 
June 16. J. Hewins Child Ann. 
July 4. Lem Fuller. Abigail 

July 21. Zeb: Holmes Sarah & D: Fisher's Mary. 
Aug^ Han : Tupper 
Aug*^. 21. O: Everet Oliver 
Sep: I. Fairbanks. Sarah 

Births 
Sep"-. 15. John Coney Child Edw : & Will"". Lewis Child William 
Sep"" 29. Jos: Hewins Child Joseph. 
John Johnson : Edmund 

Deaths 
Feb: 11. Cap: Bacon. 
Feb: 22. Lieu*. Hixson. 
May 12. Widow Smith 
July 23. R: Tupper 
Sep'". 8. Josiah Blackman 
Sep"". John Rhode's Wife. 
Oct : 3. Jos : Rhodes Ju^ Child. 
Oct: 6. M"". Bradshaw Son. 
Oct. Asa Clark Son 
Oct. Wid: Johnson 
P : Witherton Child 

[43] 
Marriages 
Feb. 12. Jonathan Hawse & Lucy Tour * 
Nov: 14 D": Coney & Susanah Curtis 
D*". 12. Joshua Howard & Priscilla Capen. 
Jany. Amos Boyden & Mary Pain 

•Town Records: Tower. 

33 



Add: Chh: 
January y^^. John Holms Ju'". & his wife. 
Fib^. 20. Lem : Fuller Ad : into the Chh : 
March 3 : Han''. Tupper Admitted into Chh : 
May, 19. Add: Sarah Clark. 
June 2. Joseph Hewins & his wife Add: — 
Aug^ II. John Cumings & his wife Add. — 
D*". Abigail Puffer Ad: into the Chh: 



[44] 



For the Year [1777] 
Baptisms 
Feb: 25. Sam^: Hixsons Child, Samuel. — 
Solomon Estys Child Lovana. 

May 18. W-. Witherton William & D". Richards Son Edward. 
June I. Jos: Swift. Joshua & Ep: Payson's Margaret 
June 22. Sol : Gay. Luther 

Aug*^. 3. Jo: Morse Child & Nat: Comings, Cloe 
Sep'". 29. Jacob Hewins Child. Abigail. 
Oct. 20. Mary Smiths Child Rebecca. 
Nov: 16. Nat Clark Spencer 

Deaths 
M*". Fisher Son 
Mrs Puffer 

April. John Holmes Child 
April. Jacob Esty. 

May. W~. Billings & 16^1^. Jacob. Johnson 
Aug*^. Lem : Capen'® Child buried. 
Oct: 31: Nat: Coney Child. 
D"". Eze: Capen Child 

Children Baptised To the End of this Year Six hundred & Fifty 
[Nine*] Three. 653. 

Deaths in the Same time [116 and 117 equals 2^2>-'\ * ^2>2) Till now. 

[45] 

Marriages 
April 13. Married lacob French & Bathsheba Esty. 
May 8. Married Richard Billings & Mary Smith 
May 29. Joses Hill Mary Clark. 
June 3 Jacob Cook & Esther Jndicot 
June 30. Jacob Billing & Hannah Hewins 
Sep: 4. Nath". Guild & Ann Rhods. — 
Oct: 6. Sam": Frost & Sarah Rhodes 
Nov. 9. I married My daughter Hannah to James Porter 
D"". 12 Mared Elij. Bird & Sarah Prat. 
D"" 18 Mar'^. Dan" Rhodes & Lydia Rhodes. 

Add: into Chh: 
July 6. Add: Elisabeth Comings. 

* The fig:ures in the brackets have been crossed out. These two entries are written 
lengthways of the page. 

34 



Sep'. 29. Add. Mary Smith. — 
Nov : 16. Add : Lucy Gilbert. — 

[46] 
For the Year [1778] 

Baptisms 
Feb: D'' Billings Child Ruthe. 
March 15. Th: Fisher Child Oliver 
April. 5 Jo: Randal Child Samuel. . 
Lem: Capen's. Elijah 

May 10. Gilead Morse Child & Levi Fuller Child Lemuel. 
May 24 E^. Hewins Savel & W— : Lewis Child Hittee. 
June 14. Uriah Atherton. Child Lemuel. 
June 7. W~ Clark; Child. Mary. 
July 5. D"". Hewins Child. Sarah. 
Benj. Richards Child Prudee 

July 12. E"". Richards Child". Moses, Aaron Levi, & Anna. 
July. My Daughter Hannah Child Peter 
July 26. M''. Whittemore Child Jessee. 
Sep''. 6 Ezra Morse Child Lewis & my Daughter Coney Child Nancy 

Bass. 

Deaths 

Feb: Silvanus Clarks Child. 

April 19. Eben"": Estey. 

April 29. Bezaleel Billings 

May II. David Whites Child. 

July 7. Benj : Richards Child buried Prudee 

luly 12. M". Write buried. 

July 27. Abial Drake Child. &. July 29. Patience Esty. 

Augst 13. M"". Write. 

Aug*. M-". Whittemore Child 

Sep"". 7 Lieu*., Hixson & Child, buried - - 

Sep"-. II. M"" : Whittemore 

[crossed out] *. M*". Lewis'^ Child. 

Sep"". 12. Jon°: Gannett 

and Warren Gannett 

Sep"-, latter End. W". Lewis Child. Phi : Witherton's & Ned : Tisdale 
Child. — 

Oct : 5. Jo : Billings wife. — 

Oct: 17. Beriah Billing Child. 18. M"". Randals Bess. 19. M--. Sav- 
age Son. 20. Joseph Coneys Daughter. 

[47] 
Marriages 
Feb: David Witherby & W"^. Kingman's Daughter Eunice 
Feb: 27. David Rhodes & Elisabeth Rhodes. 
April 5. Married Eben''. Lovel & Zip'' * Drake. 
June 25. Amos Richardson & Mehitable Rhodes 
July 8 Ezekiel Fisher & Experience Blacknian. 

* Town Records: Zilpha. 

35 



Octo: 20. Benj°. Puffer & Nancy Whitney. — 
Nov"-. 30. W-. Holms & [ * ] Smith. Sabel 

Deaths 
Ocf. 21. Benj°. Bullard. 
Oct 26 M'". Farebanks Child 
M'-s Bullard Child 
Hannah Esty. 
D--. 28. D"-. [ t ] Child. 

Ad: into Church 
June 14. Admitted Eben^ Richards & his Wife. & Mary Everet wife 

of Edward Everet 
June 21. Admitted My Daughter Hannah 
Aug*. 30. Admitted my Daughter .Susannah 
Oct: II. Jacob Hewings Admitted into y*. Chh. 

56 

Births 
Births. Sam'. Hixson Child 
Zeb: Holmes Elisabeth 
T: Bakers Francis-" 
Jos*". Hewins. James. 

[48] 
For the Year. — [1779] 

Baptisms. 
Feb: 21. lohn Toleman** Child Sarah. — 
E''. Richards Nabbee Elijah Bird. Anna. — 
April 4. W~ Richards Ju"". Child Solomon. 
W~ Tolman'^ Spencer. 
April 20. Sol: Gays Child Timothy 
April 13. Sol: Gilbert. Child 
May 2. W*!. Swift Child Eben. . 
May 16. Joshua Swift. Damaris 
May 23. Jsrael Smith : Jacob 
June 27. Asa Clark Unice 
July 4 Philip Witherton Child Esther 
Oct: 17. Cap'. Sam': Payson Child Noise 
Ocf. 31. Beriah Billings Child". Beriah, Parker. Brinten. Bradish, 

Otis Charlotte. 
W™. Lewis. William 
Nov: 14. J*>. Esty. Lucy 

Deaths 
Jan^^. 19. Jo". White buried 

Sam': Bird 

Nat: Coney 

Jir: Belcher Daugh"* 

Benj°. White 
D*". n Ephraim Payson - Child. 18 

* Isabel, crossed out. Town Records: Sibel. 
t Worn; probably Hewins. 

36 



TanJ-. 


30- 


Feby. 


16. 


Feb: 


20. 


Aug«' 


'■■ 13 



D". Birds Wife & 25. Sanii. Esty's * 
About 6 weeks after his wife * 

[49] 
Marriages 

Jan:' 14. Married Jeremiah Rhods & Mehitable Coney. 

Feby. 5. Married Philip Barns & Phebe Basset. 

Feb-: 24. Married Elijah Baker & Olive Rogers. 

April 5. Married Job Swift & Elisabeth Guile, & Russel Oliver & 

Abigail, Puffer 
June 24. Married Matthias Puffer & Priscilla Hubbard 
Oct: 21. Married Jason Richardson & Lovis Smith, also Nathan" 

Clark & Elisabeth Allen. 
Ocf. 28. Married Wolley Leonard & Anna Richards 
Ocf. 31. Married Oliver Drake & Ruth t Drake. 
Boston t 

Married Nov : 2^ losiah Talbot, & Susannah Morse 
Decern"": 23. Married Lewis De Maresquettc § & Polly Wimble = 

Ad. Chh 
Aug**, i^*. Admitted Nathan Savage & his Wife. 

[50] 
For the Year [1780] 
Baptisms 
P. Randal: Esther 
Job: Swift. Amos. 
June Sil: Clark Jacob. 
July 2. E*". Blackman Child. Adam. 
July 23 Jer: Belcher'* Child. Walter Spooner 
Benj : Richard^ Child Tho«. Pownal 
Uriah Atherton, Jessee 

Aug*. 26. Enoch Hewins Hittee & Gilead Morse Child Abner. 
Sep*. 15 Nat: Cumings Child Nabbee 
Sep"". 17. J**. Hewins Child Lucee 
Nov: 6. J*'. Toleman'' Child Joseph. P. Coneys Child Jeremiah 

* Town Records of deaths: Mr. Samuel Estey, Dec. 23, 1779. Widow Rebecca 
Estey, Feb. 18, 1780. 

•f Written above Mary, which is crossed out. 

^ This word is partly erased; it does not appear to refer to any entry, but as if 
he began to write something else and stopped. 

§ Col. Louis de Maresquells (Marie Louis Armand Anstart de Maresquclls) signed, 
Dec. 6, 1776, a lengthy and important contract with the Colonial Government, for 
the manufacture of a superior kind of cannon. The peculiarity of their construction 
was that they were cast solid and then bored out by a process learned from his 
father, the Marquis of Montelurbert. The Marquis had since 1750 been manufactur- 
ing such cannon for the supply of the French Government. The cannon for the 
colony were to be cast at the Stoughtonham Iron Foundry, proved by de Maresquells 
in the presence of the Commissioners of the State, and to be furnished by him 
throughout the war. In return, he was to receive a large sum of money annually 
during the war and an annuity for life, and was to have the honorary rank of 
Colonel. 

27 



Deaths 
April M'^. Wormwell 
April 10. Widow Holland 
[ * ]11« M-^. Hill. July 28 
Joseph Wood Child Buried. 
Oct: 2 Mehetable Leonard & her Twins. 

[51] 

Marriages 

July s'*". Married Ezra Gould & Lois Smith. 

Augt. Married Sam'. Toleman & [Elisebeth t] Hannah Rogers 

Sep'". 9. Married Sam* : Holes t & the Widow Tilden 

Sep'". 14. Married Joshua Johnson & Hannah Johnson 

October: 2 Moses White & [ § ] Allin Susannah 

[July s'*". Married Sam'. Thompson. & Elijah Johnson to Sarah 

Hewins & Unity Esty. — ] 1 1 

Add: Chh: 
July 2 M.^- -Morse wife of Ezra Morse 
Nov"". Jo: Wood. & his wife. — 

[52] 
For the Year [1781] 

Births ** 
Jany 28 Oliver Everet Child Moses & Joseph Wood Child David 
Jan^. Zeb: Holmes Child Edward. 
March 25. Joshua Swift Joshua 
April 15. Sol: Gay Child. Hannah — Ens: Everet Twins Elis: & 

Mary. 
May 20. D°. Jacob Hewins Child Nathan. 
May Jacob Hawse Child Ebenezer. 
July 22 Beriah Billings Child. Anna. 
John Holms J"^. Child Dana 
Aug*^. 19. Nathan Savage Child James 
Sep"". 9. W"~. Toleman Child, James. 
Sep"". 22. D». Richard Child Elijah. 
Oct. 14. Eben"". Richards Child Eben"". 
Oct. 20. W: Lewis Hitteett 
Oct: 28 Job: Swift Child. Philip — 
Oct. 28: Mary Payson Child Elisabeth 

Deaths 
April I Sarah Johnson. 
April 9 M'"^. Gannet 

* Mrs. Wormells, the first part of the name having been crossed out. 

f Crossed out. 

\ Town Records: Holmes. 

§ Crossed out — undecipherable. 

j{ This paragraph has been crossed out; it belor.gs in the record of 1781. 
** Reference to the dates of the births of these children in the Town Records show 
that this heading should be Baptisms. 
ft Very indistinct. Town Records: Hettee. 

38 



June 9 D°. Esty 

June 27 D°. Jacob Hewins Wife. 

Oct. Jordan Child 

Oct. 17. Parkman Bradshaw 

D"". 23. D°. Hewins Child buried. 

D"". 24. Jos^. Hewins Child buried. 



[53] 



Marriages 
Feby. 12. Married Asa Harlow & Elisabeth Rhodes 
June 6. Married Stephen Hawse & Mary Gannett 
July 5. Married Sam': Thompson & Sarah Hewins. And Elijah 

Johnson & Unity Esty. — 
Aug. 20 Married Benj°. Gannet & Anna Everson 
Oct. 17. D°. Jacob Hewins & Ruth Armstrong. 
Oct: 25. George Holms & Rachel Allen 
Nov: I. Ed: French & Judith Bullard. 
Nov : 8. Job Esty & Ruth Coney. — 
Nov. 29. David Fisher Ju^ & Mehitable Hewins. 
D'. 6. W-. Clap & Mary Rhod 
D*". 10. Jonathan Billings & Mary Fisher. 
Married De*'. 27. Lem^ Wintworth & Susannah Whittemore 

Add: into Chh 
December 30. Ad : Jacob Hewins Wife Deacon. 

[54] 
For the Year [1782] 

Births * 
April I. Philip Witherton Newil 
June 9. Benj°. Richards Child Joel. & Ep™. Paysons Child Benj°. 

Esty. 

June 30. Gilead Morse Child Luther. — 
July 20. Jo. Hewins Son James. 
July 25 Lem: Fullers Child, Louis. 
Sep"-. 8. JO. Randal Jos''. 
Sep''. 26. Sol : Gilbirt child Solomon. 
Oct: 6. Nat Cumings Child. Betsy 

Deaths 
Jan^. Edward Everets Child 
Jan^. 31. M"*. Whittemore 
Feby. 28. Capt. Sam'. Billings 
June 7. Wid: Hawse 
July 17. E"". Bird. Child buried. 
Sep*. 6, John Esty Daughter Drowned 
Nov 18. Cap*. Billings Jnfant Child buried 
D"". Begining: M"". Em*^. Quincy 

[55] 

Marriages 
June 24. Oliver Bird & Lois Gay. 

* i. e. Baptisms. 

39 



Sep''. 19 Joshua. Whitteniore, & Widow Sarah Mackintosh 

Oct. 6 Joseph Man & Mehitable Billings 

D'". 12. Married Snell Babbet & Betsy Blanchard. 

D"". 17. Married Zebulon Holmes & Rachel Tompson 

D"". 26. Married Elias Edee & Mary Savel 

[Aug*. 28. Married Zebine Lyon & Rachal Hooper] * 

Add: into Chh: 
March 25. Add : Eben'' : Hill. — 
Nov : 22. Mary Fisher. Admitted 

[56] 
For the Year [1783] 
Births t 

Jan^. 8. Oliver Everet Child Aaron. 

Silvanus Clark April 10. Susannah 

April 27. Lem: Capen child Nathaniel & Sol: Gay Child, Betsie 

Aug*. 24. Enoch Hewins Child Zibble 

Oct: 5. Cap*. Gannet Child Warren. 

Decemb"". 7. M"". Rapkey's X Child, Sallee. — 

Deaths 
Feb: 10. M'', Th^ Randal buried 
April 19. Priscilla Smith buried 
Aug*. 14. M"". Bradshaw 
Oct: II. Sol: Gilbert Child buried. 
Joseph Morse Child buried 

[57] 
Marriages 

Jan^. I. Married Joseph Ellis & Phyle Boyden 
Jan^. 8 Married John Hewins & Rnth Hewins. 
Jany 30. Married Benj Bullard & Hannah Holmes 
May 6. Married W~. Drake & Susannah Harlow 
Aug*. 28. Mar'^. Zebine Lyon & Rachel Hooper. 
Oct: 5. Married Ephraim Smith & Ame. Withington 
Nov"". 13. Married Thaddeus Clap & Mary Billings 
Nov : 20. Married Liffe Smith & Hepzibah Clap. 
December 1 1 Married J**. Cumings & Mehitabel Esty 

Ad^: into Chh: 
Tune 8 Admitted Sarah Whittemore 

[58] 
For the Year. [1784] 
Baptisms 
March 27. Lem; Fuller Child Adam 

* This entry has been crossed out. It belongs in 1783. 

•f i. e. Baptisms. 

J Town Records: Reupeke. John Christian Reupke was a native of Hesse, in Ger- 
many. He was a soldier in the British army with Gen. Burgoyne at the surrender 
at Saratoga in 1777. Not being allowed to return to his own country, he settled 
in Sharon, marrying at Foxboro a Miss Clark of this town. 

40 



Aprill II. John Holmes Child Esther 
May 2. Samuel Birds Anna 
May 9'*^. Major Morse *. Susannah 
May 20 Zebulon Holmes Child David 
Junet 13 Eben''. Richards Child David. — 
July II Solomon Gilbert Child, Daniel. 
July 25. Asa Clark Child Nancy. — 
Tho**: Glover's Child, Unice 
Aug**'. 22. Joshua Swift. Patience 

Sep''. 5. D"". Sam^: Hewins Thomas. & Wintworths Lydia 
Sep"". 7. M'". Cumings G-daughter. Susannah 
Ocf. 10. Job Swift Child John. 

Baptisms. Ezekiel Capens Child. Nancy & Eph : Payson's. Amasa. 
Baptisms Oc*. 24. Jer : Richards Children Kattee. Jeremiah 

Betsy. & Sallee 
Nov: 7. Benj. Richard^. Child Nancy. 

Deaths 
April 17. J''. Hewins Buried. 
May 25. M'"^. Noise was buried 

June 17. My Grand-Daughter Nancy Curtis was buried. 
June I Sam': Bird •f"'": Child buried & 14*'^ Another of his Children 

was buried. 

Sep*". 6 The Widow Hobbs buried 
D--. 6 D». Richard Wife buried. — 

[59] . 

Marriages 
James Paine & Anna Richards Married. Jan'y 15 
July ith Benj. Randal & Patty Wares t & 
Benj"*. Johnson & Charlottee Morse Married July i**". 
Tho». Tolman & Esther Tolman. November 4**^. — 
Nov"". 24. William Tribou, & Amy Belcher. & 25*^ Elias Drake & 

Polly Harlow. 
December 23. Ralph Tomson, & Mary Billings 

Add: into Chh: 
July II Admitted Jeremiah Richards & his Wife. And Tho^. Glover 

& his wife. 
The Same day Joseph Coney & his Wife had their Cov^ Relation 

transferred from the Chh : of Walpole to this Chh. 
December s^^. . Ad : The widow Keziah Gould & Zibble Holmes 
December 26. Add: Elijah Baker & wife 

[60] 
For the Year [1785] 

Baptisms 
March 6^*>. Oliver Everet Child Susannah. 
April 24. Elij. Bakers Child". Nabbe, Olive & Elijah.— 

* Col. Ezra Morse b. Dedham 1741; d. Sharon 1807. 
t May, crossed out. 

I Town Record: MoUey Ware. The date of this marriage is an addition, but in 
Mr. Curtis's hand. 

41 



Joseph Randal's Child Thomas. 

May I. John Esty's Child, Elijah.— 

May 15. Enoch Hewins Child Susannah. 

May 28. Wil-: Tolenian Child. Otis. — 

June 5. Sol: Gay's Child, Seth — 

June 27 Joses Hill Child. Etheridge & 

John Repuchee * Child Bettee 

July 3. Nat : Cumings Child Police 

W- Holmes Children Sibble & Nabbee — Ellis 

& Job Esty Children Ruthee & Ebenezer. 

Sep"". II. Jer: Richards Child Polly. 

Oct 2. Th«. Clark Children Amity Rhoda Nathan John & Lewis 

John Holmes Child Anna. 

[&] Thos Glover Lois 

Baptisms. Ocf. 30 Lem: Capens Hittee. 

December 4. Capt. W~. Billings Child Lewis. 

Deaths 
March 15. Tribou'^ Child buried 
March 22. M"" Deveruk. buried 
April 5. Eze: Capen's Child buried 
May 29. Lieu*^ Tisdal t buried 
June II Eb"". Lovel was buried 
Sep'". 4. M". Bird wife of Oliver Bird Buried. — 
October 10. Gilead Morses Wife buried 

[61] 

Marriages 
Feb:^ 3. Married Jabez Eaton & Mary Hixson. 
Feb^. 10. Married Joseph White & Lydia Johnson 
All back Returned 

March 3. Married Eliphalet Morse & Marcy Gilbert 
April 5. Married Joshua Whittemore Jun"". & Louis t Morse. — 
June 30. Married Seth Fisher & Hannah Hewins 
July 18 Married Nathaniel Billing & Miriam Bullard & Levi White 

& Mella Capen 
Sep"*. 29. Sam". Holms •'"'■. & Susannah Hewins. Married. 
Oct: 24. Married. Tho*. Fisher & Lucey Ballard. 
27. Benjn. Ide & Mary Kollock. — 

Add: into Chh. 
June 12*'^ Add: Ruth Esty. — 
July 17. Add: Mary Clark wife of Thomas Clark 

For the Year [1786] 

Baptisms 
Born i.s^h day Aprill 30. J"-. Philip Curtis'^ Child Philip. & Solomon 

Gilbert Child Nancy 
July 9. Silvanus Clark Child Elijah. 

* Town Records: Reupeke, Betsey. 

■f Perhaps Ebenezer Tisdale, Capt. Stoughtonham Co. Apr. 19, 1775. 

J Town Records: Lois. 

42 



October 8 Job Swift Child. David. 
Octo''. 29. Joseph Hewins Child Frances 
Billings & Jng™. child", died of Throat Distemper 

Deaths 
Jan^. 5. Sam^: Billings Child buried. Male 
Jan^ 24. J**. Jngraham child. 8 m'*. Male. 
Jany. 24. Wid : Everet of Rhumatism between 75 & 80 Age 
Jany 25. D°. loseph Hewins. 85. Age. of Cancer 
Feb^. 19. Mat : Harlow Child died of Th : Dis''. 5 years old female 
March 5. M""*. Richard 75. old, died of Complicated Disease. — 
March 22 Job Esty'^ Child**, died. Ruth 2 years old, by worms, & 

23*^ Ebenezer by Throat Distemper i year old. 
March. 31. Mrs Johnson 80 years old. died 
Lem. Capen. Child Aug* female i year old 19 died of Quincy 
Aug*. 23. Wid : Clark died *° 46 year of her Age of Jaundice & 

Scurvy. 
Aug: 30. M"^. Wood, 70 years She died of Astma. 
October 19. Sam^: Holmes J*". Child girl 1-2 year old, Died with 

worms 
Nov: 12. Benj°. Savel Jun*". 23 age died of Nervous fever 

[63] 

Marriages 
March 16. Married Jsaac Johson Jun'". & Olive Hixson *. And Oliver 

Bullard & Abigail Gay. 
June I. Married William Dean & Abigail Harlow 
July 27. Married Sam'. Waters & Sarah Richards 
August S***. Married Luther Thomson & Beulah White 
Nov"". 2. Married Nathaniel Bradshaw & Mehetabel Hewins 
Nov"". 16. Married Thompson Maxfield t Judith Johnson. 
Nov''. 27. Married Jsaac Felch & Rachel. Brown 

Add^. to Chh; 
March 12. Add: Philip Curtis & his Wife. 
December 3 Add. Unity Johnson. 

[64] 
For the Year [1787] 

Baptisms 
January 28. Joseph Randall'* Child Benj°. 
April 8. W- Toleman Child. Betsy. & John Repueke Child. Hannah 

April 21. Elij^. lohnson Children. Unity, Elijah & Jossee. 

May 27. Cap*. Elijah Billing's Children Hannah, Betsy, Esther, Cloe. 

& Unice- Bowdoin. 
Joses Hill Child. Bettee. 
Sami : Billings Jun-". Child. Ruth. — 
June 24. Sol : Gilbert Twins. Moses & Aaron. 
Aug*. 5. Tho^ Clark Child- Susee- — 
Sep'". 9. Jer: Richards Child Zibiah 

* Written over Esty, which has been crossed out. 
f Town Records: Maxwell. 

43 



December 2^. Asa Clark Son Asa. & Eben^ Richards Son. Joel 

Deaths 
January y^^ Eben''. Capen buried. 
Jan^. 17 D°. Bird was buried. — 
Feby. 12. Elijah Capen wife was buried. — 
Aprill 3. Ezra Gould Child was buried. 
May 18. Sam': Capen wife was buried. — 
June 18. D". lacob Hewins Wife buried 
Nov"". 20. Oliver Bird Child buried. 
Decern'". 20. Nathaniel Billings Child Buried. — 

[65] 
Marriages 

March 8.t*». John Richards & Mary Bird. Married. 

All back returned to the Clerk 

April 26. Married Gilead Morse & Mary Fisher & 

Obed Johnson & Lucy Holmes. 

June 14. Married Oliver Bird & Eunice Drake. — 

Sep"". 9. Married Cyrus Drake & Mehitable M<^.Mullcn. 

Nov"". II. Married Atherton Belcher & Abigail Morse 

Add: into Chh: 
Aprill 14. Add: Huldah Billings wife of Cap*. Eli''. Billings 
Sep"". 23. Add : Mary Hill, wife of Joses Hill 

[66] 
For the Year [1788] 

Baptisms 
Jan^. 13. D". Oliver Everetts Child, Elisabeth. 
March 10 My son Philip's Child. Thomas. 
March 16. Elij : Johnson Child. Sophia 
Aprill 27. Col : Ezra Morse Child Name Hartford. 
Elijah Baker's lohn. 

Joshua Whittemore Jun"". Joshua & Lois. 
Aug*. 10. Jo. Cumings Joseph & Oliver 
Oct*". 12 Widow Lovel's Children. Cyrus & Eben"". Mary & Zilphe. — 

Job Swift's Child Asa. 

Deaths 
* 

March 14. Eleanor Coney buried. 
April 19. M"". Eaton Child 
July 9. Solomon Gilbert Child. — 
D"-. 6. D». Richard Jun"". Child buried. 

[67] 
Marriages 

Jan^. I Elijah Fisher & Susannah Hixson — 
Feb 10. Ebenezer Harlow & Mary Johnson 

* The marriage of Elijah Fisher & Susannah Hixson was entered here and crossed 
out. 

44 



All Back Returned 

Nov"". 6. Aaron Fisher & Elisabeth Esty. — 

Add^. into Chh. 
April 20. Ad : into Chh : Joshua Whittemore & his Wife. 
Mehitable Cumings Add: into Chh. May about i8">. day 

Aug*. 17. Admitted into Chh: Zilphe Lovill Widow 

Ocf. 12. Admitted into Chh: Anna Leonard & Elisabeth Richards. 

[68] 
For the Year. [1789] 

Baptisms 
April 19. Sam^: Bird's Child Hannah 
May 24. Jos: Cumings Child Sallee. 
June 21. Sol: Gilbert Child. Lucy. — 
July 5. Wolley Leonard Child". Baptised- Viz Anna. Hittee, William 

& Unice — 
Augt. 16 Cap'. William Billing Child. Hitte 

Deaths 
Aug^ II. Joshua Johnson buried. 
De: 19. Lieu* Benj. Billing wife buried 

[69] 

Marriages 
March 14. Married John Rhodes & Molley Haden. 
April 16. Married Andrew Capen & Hannah Richards 
May 22. Married Elijah Capen & Massah Johnson. — 
Sep"". 24. Married Jsrael Smith & Zipperow Bullard 
All Back Returned to the Clerk. 

Add: into Chh: 
Jan^. II. Admitted into the Chh: Mary & Hannah Richards. — 

[70] 
For the Year [1790] 
Baptism 
Jan?. 4**^ Joshua Whittemore Child Baptised Name Jessee 
June 28. Jeremiah Richards Child. Hannah 
July II. W^ol: Leonard Child lohn. 
luly 25. Lemuel Capen Child Jessee. 
Aug*. I. Job Swifts Child Susannah & 
Tho«. Clark's Child, Molley 
Oliver Everet Child Joseph Sep'". 19. — 
Ocf. 3. Enoch Hewins Child Whiting. 
Ocf. 17. Eben"". Holms Child Nathaniel. 
Baptised 841. Since my Settlement 

Deaths 
Jan^. 27. Caleb Johnson Buried 
Feb: 5. Tim. Billings wife buried. — 
Feb:^. 16. Matthias Puffer's Wife buried. 
March 13. D''. Smith'' Child buried 
March: 10. Wid: Allen". Daugh''. buried. 
March 16. William Woods, Wife buried 

45 



April. I. Beriah Billings Son buried. 
April 7. Jon: Billings Ju'". Child buried. 
April 28. Luke Richards buried 
May 9. M"". Maxfield's. Child buried 
M''. Felch & M"-*. Kingsbury 
May 12. Fisher« Child. 
May 13. M"^. Nock. 
May 31, Jacob Esty. 
June 2. Rebecah Hewins 

[71] 
Marriages 

May. 18 Married Matthias Puffer & Bathsheba French. 

Oc*. 19. Married loshua Clap Esq. & Deborah Hewins 

Oct: 20. Nat: Adams & Zebiah Kollock. 

Oc*^. 21. Doctor Jerre Lyon & Mary Richards 

All Back Returned to the Clerk 

Deaths 
Aug*. 25. Danii; Richards Wife 
Nov. I Elisabeth Holms buried 

Add into Chh: 

[72] 
For the Year [1791] 
Baptisms 
April ID. Elijah Johnson Son. Marcus 
May I. My Son Philip^ Son was Baptised. Willard 
July ID. Wolly Leonard Child Lewis. 
July 24. Joseph Cumings. Hitte 
Aug*^. 21. Thomas Glover Child, Sukee 
Oc"". 2. Benj'". Hodges Child. Anna. 

Deaths 
Jan5'. 23 My Scipio Dyed. 
Feb^. 13. J**. Hewins Daughter Lucy Dyed 
March 11 P. Witherton Daughter buried 
March 29. Jacob Fisher® Child buried 
April I. Joshua Whittemore buried 
April 15. Cloe Payson'^ Child buried. 
May Last. My Grand Son Willard Curtis was buried. 
Ocf. 26. Isaac Johnson buried 

* 

Decem'". 31. Mary Keith, Buried 

{.7Z\ 
Marriages 

July 25. Married Amasa Hewins & Esther Kollock. 

Aug^ 4. Married James Billings & Massa Hewins 

Oc"". 27. Maried Sam^ Holms Ju''. & Hannah Morse 

Ad^. into Chh. 

* The burial of Joshua Whittemore's wife, crossed out. 

46 



[74] 
For the Year. 1792. — 

Baptisms 
Philip Curtis Ju"". Child Born April s^^. Obadiah 
May 2o'*> Solomon Gilbert. Child. John. 
June 8th- Josiah Talbots Children. Enoch Josiah. Susannah Hannah 

& Betsy- 
July 22. Josiah Talbot Child Nathaniel 
Sep^ 16. Tho^. Glover Son Thomas. 
Sep"". 23. Tho^. Clark Tom & Etheredge 
Ocf. 14 Elijah. Johnson'^. Ansel. 
Oct^ 28. Job Swift. Elisabeth & Jere*". Richard Joseph. 

Deaths 

t *] . 

Jan^. r. Joshua Whittemore wife Buried. 

Jan^. 9 Beriah Billings Buried 

Jan^. 25 Joshua Whittemore Child buried 

April 9*"^. Jcacod t Clark wife buried 

April 16. Ephraim Payson's wife Buried. 

June 3 D°. Hill was buried. 

Sep"" 23 Philip Witherton was Buried 

Nov"". 22 Jacob Fisher's wife & Child buried 

[75] 

Marriages 
April 24 Married Enoch Hewins •'''■. & Hannah Kingsbury 
July 18. Married. Ebenezer Alger & Mary Capen 
July 23. Married Nathaniel Gould & Elisabeth Kollock. 
August 30. Married Lemuel Esty & Hannah Belcher 
Ocf 30 I Married lohn Morse & Lucy Fisher. 
OC. 31. Married Benj°. Harlow & Ruth Brown 
Nov. 6. Married Leonard Billing & Lucy Morse 
Nov*". II Married Barzillai Fuller & Betsey Tisdall. & Nov'". 18. D^ 

Sam' Capen & Sally Savel 
Nov. 28. Joh Coney & Susannah Comings 
Nov. 29. Tho^ Shepherd & Betsey Richards 

Ad: into Chh 
June § 3. Adm**. The wife of Josiah Talbot 
October 14. Ad: Hannah Witherton 
& Rebeccah Witherton 

For the Year [1793] 
Baptisms 
June 27. Ezra Goulds Children. Nancy. Luke. Hannah. & Ezra 
Aug*. II. Nat". Bradshaw Child Levi 

• Marriages, crossed out. 
•f Town Records: Ichabod. 
J Changed from 29. 
§ Written over May. 

47 



Aug'. 31. My Son Philip^ Child was Born & Baptised Sep"". 22. Al- 

ford. 

Deaths 
Feby. 5. Matthew Harlow Child Buried. 
March 8. Ephraim Payson Buried. 

Marriages 
April 2. Married. Joshua Whittemore & Ruth Johnson. 
All Back Returned to Town Clerk 
De"". 15. Marrid Eben''. Fuller. & Esther Johnson. 

Ad: into Chh. 

June 23 Lois Gould. 

Nov: 10 Susanna Richards 

Nov"". 24. Add: Eben'". Witherton, Without A Relation 
* 

[78] 
For the Year [1794] 
Baptisms 
May 4''^. Benj". Fairbank Children. Benj" & Sophia 
June I Edward Everits Children. Leonard. Hannah. Nabby & Betsy. 
June 8 labez Richard's Benjamin 
June 22. Sol : Gilbert Child. Frank- 

Sep'". 6. W. Leonard. Sukey. Sep''. 13. Ben. Hodges. lames. 
Oct. 12. D''. Capen Child Esther. 
Nov. 2 Ezra Gould Child. Jesture t 
Nov : 23. Jer : Richards Achsa. 

Deaths 
Feby. Anna Tisdal. & Sol°. Gay's Child 
April 18. D'". Sam'. Hewins Buried. 
May 14. Mary Payson Buried 
July. Deacon Everet Child was buried 
Also. Caleb Johnson Child. 
Nov : 22. Asa Harlow Child 

[79] 

Marriages 
March 18 Married Zebulon Waters & Zilpha Lovel. 
April 6'^^ Married, David Johnson & lerusha Buck. 
Nov: 6. Married. Benj. Rynolds & Hannah Everet 
Nov*". 27. Married Pompy Allen & Annis. Ring 
D"". 3 Married Jacob Fisher & Elisabeth Brooks & Peter Thayer & 

Unity Hixson 

Add. into Chh 
Feb^. 23. Add*^. Benj". Fairbanks & his Wife. And Jeremiah Fair- 
banks & his Wife 

* Here the record of Feb. 23, 1794 was entered and crossed out. 
f Town Records: Chester. 

48 



March 2. Edward Everet's Wife. — 
Sep''. 13. Ad: D''. Capen«. Wife 

[80] 

For the Year [1795] 

Baptisms 
May 10. Josiah Talbot Child. Lucee 
July 19. Natha'. Bradshaw Child. Jessee. & D''. Sam'. Capen^ Child 

Elisabeth. 
Sep*". 16. Nathan Drake's Children Nathan. Lucy. Esther. Jane. 
William Toleman Child. Joel. 

Deaths 
May 14. M''. Josiah Talbot Lucee buried 
June 26. D: Hewins wife Buried. 
June 29. Melzur Drake Child Buried 
July 17. Ruben Clap. Buried 
July 24. William Witherton Wife Buried. — 

[81] 

Marriages 
Feb. II. Noah Barden & Sarah Bullard. 
March loth loel Bullard & Charlotte Billings 
All Back Sent to the Town Clerk 
luly 2. Thomas KoUock & Abigail Fairbanks 
Aug^. 2. Zelotas Thrasher, & Mary Hixson. 
Octo: 4. John Savel & Anna Hewins 
Of: 7. Nat: Witherton & Zilpah Hixson 
Of. 8 Elijah Briggs & Susannah. Richards. 
Dc*": 31. Francis Curtis & Mary Billing 

[ *] 

Oct. 18. Enock'' Tolbot & Catherine Rynolds 
Nov 8 Nat: Leonard & Susannah Savel 
No. 19. Willis Alger & Sukee Capen 

Add into Chh. 
July 19. Add: Nathan Drake & his Wife; Jane Drake. 
Nov: 15. Add: Hannah Esty. 

[82] 

For the : Vear [1796] t 

Baptisms 
Feby, 7 Joshua Whittemore Child Name Hannah. 
May 15 Lem: Esty^ Children Olive & Hannah 
May 19. Sami. Holms I""-. Child^ Oliver, Otis & Hannah. 
July 3. Elijah Baker Child Salle. 
June 19$ Nathan Drakes Child Jeremiah 
luly 17. Wol: Leonard lessee. Sam". Homs ■'''. Amos. Jer**: Fuller 

Jeremiah Aug^ 28. Jere: Richards Francis. 

* Marriages, erased. 

•f 1796, erased. 

f Written over (or under) is. 

49 



Sep"". 4. Tho^ Clark Marquis 

Deaths 
March 23 Ezra Gould Child buried Also. The Child Lived, with 

Tho*. Coney 
April. 2^. Benjn. Johnson Child buried. 
April 17 Widow Harlow Child Buried 
Another of her Children Buried April 20. 
July 12. Jos'\ Cumings Child Buried. 
Another of his Children buried 
Sep"". 4. Tho : Kollock Child buried. 

[83] 

Marriages 
]an7. 7. Eben*" Fisher. & Nancy Morse. — 
April 25. My Son Calvin was Married 
Aprill 26. Joseph Billings & Sible Kingsbury 
April. 2y. Nat''. Morse Rebeccah. Fisher 
All Back Returned to the Clerk 
luly 24. Oliver Shepherd & Susanah Baker 
Decern: 15 Jncrease Hewins & Sarah Toleman. 

Add into Chh. 
March 6 Add: Hannah Holms. Wife of Sam'. Holms 
July. 3. Add: Widow Keziah Drake & her Daughter Fuller. 
Aug*. 14 Add : Zipporah Smith : 
No. 13. Abigail Kollock Add: 

Buried. 

Nov: Lem: Esty Child 

[Nov: 9. Francis Curtis Child Buried] * 

& 13. Obid Johnson's. 

[& 16. Frank's Wife Buried.] * 

[84] 

Baptisms 
Sep--. 8. 1796 Jsell Smith J'". Child". Ellis. Jrena. Zibble, Jane & Levi. 
1796. Solomon Gilbert^ Levi. 

Deaths 
Sep*". 18. 1796 Hannah Witherton Buried 
Oct. 3. 1796 M'^ Shephard Buried 
Melzar Drak Child Buried. Sep: 30. 1796. 
Oct: 8. 1796 Philip Witherton was buried 
Nov. 30. 1796 Widow Coney was Buried 
Nov: 13. 1796 Francis Curtis'^ Wife & Child Died- 
December 26 1796. Philip Curtis Child Obadiah was buried 

[85] 
Marriages t 

Add: into Chh. t 

• These items have been crossed out — they are entered later, 
t No entries on this page. 

50 



[86] 
For the Year. [1797] 

Baptisms 
Fefay. 5 Eben'- Holms Child Ruthe 

April 23 Zelotes Thresher: Richard & Js : Smith. J*". Name Molley 
May 4. Nat. Bradshaw'** Child Eunice 
May 7. Jo: Cuming** Child Otis 
May 22 Leonard Billings Children Leonard Joel & Chester. & Wid: 

Payson''' grand Daug^ ter Polly. 
June 25 Jeremiah Fairbanks Child Unity. 
D'-. Capen Child Sally. 

Deaths 
March 6*^ Widow Harlow Son 
March 12. lohn Coney Buried 
June 19 M''. Wil. Richard Died 

June 22. Hittee Leonard Died Daugh^. of Woll : Leonard 
November ye 22 Died the Rev«» M'". Curtis- * 
Baptism Aug* 27. Tho. Glover Child Elijah * 
Thomas Kollock Child * 

[87] 
Marriag. 
Jan^: 19 Benj°. Richards & Ruthe Billings 
Jan^. 25 Eben'". Brown & Hannah Billings 
All Back Returned to the Clerk 
April 27. Lewis Fisher & Polly Randal 
May II. lohn Randal & Prudee Clark 
May 18. Sam Swift & Anna Hewins 
Total Married Three Hundred & thirteen pair t 

Ad: into Chh. 
March 12 Leonard Billings & his wife & Mary Thresher. 

[88] 
For the Year [1798] 

Baptisms 
Benja". Richd«. J«. Child polly 
Philip Curtis Child Nabby may ye 14 
Samuel Holms J"". Child Hannah 
Lemuel Estey Child Lemuel 
Josiah Taulburt Child Warren 
Woll Leonard- Child George 
Samuel Capen Child Sarah 

Death 
Mrs Whitemore 
^'^. Hodges 
^^. Solomon gilbirt 
Silence Howard- 
Joshua Johnson- Child Died 

• These items are by another hand. 
I By another hand. 

51 



Zelotus Thracher Child Ma'v — 

[89] 

Marriag 

Ad: into Chh. 
Catarine Clarck aded into the C!ih 
Benjamin Riciiards •''. & wife aded to the Church. — 
Total Added into the Church two hundred & Sixty-four 

[90] 
The Rev''. . Mr. Phihp Curtis was Ordained over the second church 
in Stoughton in January 1742. and died Nov. 22'^. ly^^y in the 81 Year 
of his age and 56 Year of his Ministry. 

During which time he Baptized 92O 

Married in the Same time 313 pr 

Died in the Same time 403 

Added tf) Church in the time 264 

[91J 
March ye 11 1823 Elizabath Curtis Dec'd age — 91 

[The rest of this page is blank, as are the five remaining" pages in 
the book. The upper third of the last leaf has been cut out. A frag- 
ment of a letter remaining on the margin on the binding side shows 
that it had been written upon, probably by the writer of the summary 
on page [90]. Three more leaves have also been cut out. The "Ac- 
count" of Rev. Mr. Curtis's family, following, is written on two of 
the leaves evidently cut out long ago. The "Account" is in Mr. Cur- 
tis's hand through the twenty-second item.] 

[Record of the Family of Rev. Philip Curtis.] 
An Account of Severall Events that have befallen me. & my family 

1. J was born * October 4^^. 171 7. — 

2. J was Admitted into Harvard College July 1734. And look my 
Degree in the Year 1738. 

3. J preached my fir^t Sermon at the 2''. chh in Stoughton t in the 
month May 1741. & was ordained to the work of the ministry 
there January 13*'^. 1741.2 

4. J was married September G"'. 1744. 

5. My wifei liorn May 5, 1721.— 

6. My first child, Samuel by name was horn. May u"^. 1746.— & 
died January 22 following. 1746, 7 

7. My Second child. Samuell by name was born September i'*". 1747. 

8. My Third child, Hannah by name was born Novetnl)er. 21. 
1748.- 

9. My fourth child Elizabeth by name, was born, August 14 1750. 
10. My Twins, Mary & Susannah, were born May 4. 1752.— 

' lu Roxbury, Mass., the son of Samuel Curtis and Fl.annah Gore. 
t Later Stoughtonham, now Sharon. 
{ Eli^a Bass of Newburyport. 

52 



I J. My wife dyed May 29. 1752. 

12. Tis my mind & will, that the Apparell & hou.sc furniture of my 
first wife, be owned & injoyed by the children which J had by 
her. 

13. J was married the 2^. time October, 31. 1754. My ("o)i.sort * born 
November 14. 1731. 

14. My Son Philip was born August 8"*. 1755. 

15 My Son Oliver was born January 26. 1757. 

16 My Son Edward was born November 28, 1758. — 
17. My Son Calvin was born Augtist 26. 1762. — 

18 My Son Francis was born Sep*". 26. )768 

19 My Daughter Elisabeth was Married to Cap'. Nat: Curtis. De- 
cember. 5. 1770. — 

20 My Daughter Mary was married to George Fergusson Dcember 

J 5- 1774 
21. My Daughter Susannah was married to Daniel Coney Nov. 14. 

1776. 
22 My Daughter Hannah was Married to James Porter November 

9. T777 

Ml 
[An Acount of my Fathers r'amily t] 
23''^ My Daughter Elizabeth Dyed march - 1794 — 
24*^- November 22- T797 Died the Rev^- M'' Curtis — 

25 His Daughter Hannali Died December- 1805 

26 [His Son Ed +] His Son Edward Died 27 Alarch 1807 — 

■* Elizabeth Randall of Sharon. 

■f This has been rvilcd out. U is written by a ^ccoIld liand, and tlic remaining 
items by a third. 

J This has beco partially erasod — it was begun where a fold is in the leaf. 



Adams 

Nat 46 

Samuel 24 

Zebiah (Kotlock) ...46 

Alger 

Ebenezer 47 

Mary (Capen) 47 

Sukee (Capen) 49 

Willis ...4^ 

Allen 

Annis (Ring) 4S 

Catherine 23 

Catlierine (Evcret) .21 

Daniel 24 

Elijah 29 

Elisabetli 37 

M 27 

Mary 27 

Micah .21-23, -5. 29, 33 

Nancy 33 

Pompy 48 

Rachel 39 

Sarah (Baker) 24 

(Wid.) 45 

Allin 

George 29 

Huldali 32 

Mr 21 

Susaniiaii 38 

Amsbury 

Jonnah 1 r 

Armstrong 

Ruth 39 

Atherton 

— 25. 28, 3^ 

Abner 33 

Jessee 37 

T^muel 35 

Mary 24 

Mary (Savage) ....24 

Otis 28 

Susannah 25 

Uriah 24, 35, 37 

Babbet 

Detsy (Blanchard) .40 
Snell 40 

Bacon 

Capt 33 

Daniel 16, 20 

Ebenezer 6 

Kizia (Gould) 20 

Mehitable 18 

Mrs 32 

Rebeccah (Blackman) 6 

Sarah 7 

Sarah [Wliite] i6 

Susannaii 15 

Timothy 16 

W 20 

Wra 7 

Baker 

Abigail 10 

Anna 19 

Bathsheba 26 

E 20, 21 

Elijah ... .6, 7, 9-n, 
13, 14. 16, 19, 25, 
26, 37, 41, 44, 40 



INDEX 

Elisabeth 31 

Elisabeth (Coney) ..29 

Francis 36 

Hannah 6, 20 

James 25 

John 21, 44 

Mary 13, iq, 32 

Mehitable 16 

Nabbe 41 

OHve 41 

Olive (Rogers) 37 

Salle 49 

Sarah 24, 30 

[ ]ah 7 

Susannah 14, 50 

T 36 

Thomas 9, 29, 30 

Ballard 

Lucey 42 

Barden 

Noah 49 

Sarah (JiuUard) ... .49 

Barnes 

Phebe (Basset) ....37 
Philip 37 

Barns 

Sarah 7 

Bass 
Eliza II, 52 

Basset 

Phebe 37 

Bats 

Abigail (Billingb) ..25 
Cenj 25 

Bedlow 

Dn 14 

Hannah (Belciier) ..14 

Begining 

Dr 30 

Belcher 

Abigail (Morse) ...44 

Amey 18 

Amy 41 

Andrew 25 

.\therton 44 

Clifford 6, 7. 

9-11, 29, 32 

Edward 8, 19, 27 

Elisabeth 22 

Hannah 14, 23, 47 

[ Isaac 5 

Jeremiah .14, 15, 18- 
22, 25, 27. 30, 32, 37 

Jir 36 

Jo: 23. 2$. 27. 32 

Jon 32 

Jonathan ...i8, 19, 27 

Joseph o 

Love 7, 8 

Mary .... 5, 11, 20, 25 

Mary (Baker) 32 

Mehitable n 

Mr 16, 27 

Olive 19 

Preserved 6, 8 

Sarah 14, i6 

Sarah (Richards) ..18 
.Supply "> 

54 



Susannah 21 

Theodore 30 

Billings [Billing] 

Abigail 25 

Anna 38 

Benjamin 18-20, 25, 45 
Beriah 35, 36, 38, 46, 47 

Betsy 43 

Bezaleel 35 

Bradish 36 

Brinten 36 

(Capt.) 39, 43 

Charlotte 36, 49 

Chester 51 

Cloe 43 

l^n 35 

Ebenr 10, 13, 

15, i8, 19, 22, 31 
Elijah ... 12, 28, 32, 43 

Elih 44 

Elisabeth 30 

Elizabeth 12 

Elkanah 30 

Esther 43 

Frances 43 

Hannah 43, 51 

Hannah (Hewins) ..34 

Hepzibah 18 

Hitte 45 

Huldah 44 

Huldah (Cobb) 28 

Jacob 13, 34 

James 25, 46 

Jessee 28 

Jo 35 

Joe! SI 

Jon 46 

Jonas 19 

Jonathan 8, 39 

Joseph 26, so 

Leonard 47, 51 

Levit 12 

Lewis 43 

Lieut 13 

Livit 10 

Lucy (Morse) 47 

Mary ...22, 40, 41, 49 

Mary (Fisher) 39 

Mary (Smith) 34 

Massa (Hewins) ...46 

Mehitable 40 

Miriam (FJullard) ..42 

Molly 23 

Nathaniel 42, 44 

Oliver 16, 19, 23 

Otis 36 

Parker 36 

Raihell 26 

Ricliard 34 

Ruth 35. 43, S( 

Samuel 10, I2, 

16. 30. 39, 43 

Sarah 16, 20 

Sarah (Guild) 8 

Sarah (Nason) 13 

Sible (Kingsbury) ..50 
Spencer 16 



Tim: 45 

W— i6, 19, 

20, 22, 23, 26, 
28, 30, 34, 42 

William ... .15, 22, 45 

Bird 

Abner 27 

Anna 12, 36, 41 

Atherton 30 

Bettee 29 

Damaris 7, 9 

Dn 26-28, 

30, 32, 37, 44 

Ebenezer 18, 39 

Elih 5 

Elijah 5, 12, 

33, 34. 36 

Elisabeth 14, 33 

Enoch 10 

Eunice (Drake) 44 

Hannah 26, 45 

J 29 

Joanna (Esty) 28 

John 9, 27, 28 

Lois (Gay) 39 

Mary 31, 44 

Mrs 42 

Oliver 9, 19, 39, 42, 44 

Rebecah 31 

Samuel 8-10, 

12, 14, 18-21, 23, 
31. 32, 36. 41, 45 

Sarah 6, 7, 23, 28 

Sarah (Prat) 34 

Black 
Jo 31 

Blackman 

Adam 37 

E 21 

Ebr 31, 37 

Eleazer 2i, 25, 26 

Experience 17, 35 

Experience (FuHer) 16 
Josiah 8, 16, 17, 21, 33 

Mary 21 

Mary (Tupper) ....21 

Philip 25 

Rebeccah 6 

Ruth 26 

Submitt 21 

Susee 31 

Widow 9 

Black n 

Adam 26 

Er 28 

Jos 26 

Olive 28 

Blanchard 

Betsey 40 

Blancher 

Mary 7 

Bo [den] 
(Dlive 21 

Bowdoin 

Unice 43 

Boyden 

Amos 33 

Esther 22 

Jacob 22 

Mary (Pain) 33 



Mary (Patten) 18 

Mrs 17 

Phyle 40 

Sarah (Patten) 22 

Seth i8 

Bradshaw 

Eunice 51 

Jessee 49 

Levi 47 

Mehetabel (Hewins) 43 

Mr 33, 40 

Nathal. . .43, 47, 49, 51 
Parkman 39 

Eriggs 

Elijah 49 

Susannah (Richards) 
49 

Brooks 

Elisabeth 48 

Brown 

Ebenr 51 

Hannah (Bidlings) ..51 

Rachel 43 

Ruth 47 

Buck 

Jerusha 48 

Bullard 

— 30 

Abigail (Coney) ....12 

Abigail (Gay) 43 

Benjn 29, 36, 40 

Charlotte (Billings) 49 

Edward 12, 13 

Hannah (Holmes) ..40 

Joel 49 

Judith 39 

Miriam 42 

Mrs 36 

Oliver 43 

Sarah 49 

Zipperow 45 

Burgoyne 

Gen 40 

CampernaH 

Mary 9 

Cai)en [Capin] 

Abigail 31 

Andrew 45 

Anna 12, 27 

Qoe (Pitcher) 3- 

Damaris 6, 20, 26 

Dr 48, 49. 5' 

Ebenezer ... .6, 7, 9, 
10, 12, 13, 17, 
22, 29, 31, 44 

El 31 

Eli 6, 29 

Elih. (Bird) s 

Elijali 5, 7-10, 

14. 31. 33, 35. 44. 4? 
Elisabeth ....15-18, 49 

Ephraim 41 

Esther 48 

Ezekiel ... .6, 23, 24 

27. 29, 31, 34. 41. 42 
Hannah (Richards) .45 

Hittee 42 

Jerusha (Talbot) ....6 

Jessee 45 

Jonathan 6 

55 



Lemuel . ...7, 27, 30, 
33-35. 40, 42. 43. 45 

Lewis 9 

Mary 7. 29, 47 

Mary (Cumings) ...23 
Massah (Johnson) ..45 

Mehitablc 9 

Mella 42 

Mrs 17. 26 

Nancy 41 

Nat i6-2i 

Nathaniel 22, 40 

Oliver 29 

Priscilla 33 

Priscilla (Tisdall) ..31 

Sally $1 

Sally (Savel) 47 

Samuel 12. 14, 

32, 44. 47, 49, 5t 

Sarah 10, 51 

Sukee 49 

Susanna 19 

Susanna (Swift) ...16 

Susannah 9, 10, 

23, 29, 30 
Unis i6 

Carpenter 

Rachel 31 

Carril 

Benjamin 17 

Judith (Ingram) ...17 

Clap 

Deborah (Hewins) .46 

Hepzibah 40 

Joshua 46 

Mary (Billings) 40 

Mary (Rhod) 39 

Ruben 49 

Tliaddeus 40 

W— 39 

Clarck 

Catarine 52 

Clark 

Abigail 20, 30 

Amasa 31 

Amity 42 

Angelot 14 

Asa 6, 22, 27, 

29. 31. 33, 36. 4J. 44 

BiHy 7 

Catee 26 

Cloe 33 

Ebenr ij 

Elijah 42 

Elisabeth 14, 18 

Elisabeth (Allen) ..37 

Elkanah 25 

Etheridge . . 19, 24, 47 

Experience 31 

Hannah 31 

Hannah (Evcrct) ...17 

Hosea 25 

Icabod s, 7, 

8, 10, II, 14, IS, 47 

Jacob 37 

Jemina 19, 30 

Jerh S. 6 

Jo 26 

John 43 

Jonathan 30 



Joshua 1 J 

Judith (Payson) ...si 

Lewis 4- 

Luther ■:9 

Marquis 50 

Mary . 16, 24, 34. .^5. 4- 

Mary (Coney) 15 

Mary (Ingram) ....lo 

Milk -6 

Miss 40 

Molley 45 

N 3a 

Nancy 4> 

Nat 15. 16, 

18, 20. 25, 34 
Nathan .6, 7, 12, 17, 
19, 22, 24, 26, 32, 42 

Nathaniel 22, 37 

Natn 29 

Nehemiah . . . . s. 21, 
22, 25, 26, 39, 31, 3:: 

Olive 21 

Oliver 25 

Prudee 5 > 

Prudence 20 

Rachel 26, 28 

Rhoda 42 

Salle 7 

Samuel 10 

Sarah 8, 34 

Sarah (Lewis) 32 

Sil 26, 28, 37 

Silv 31 

Silvanus 35. 4°. 42 

Spencer 29, 34 

Susannah 40 

Susee »3 

Sylvanus 5, 25 

Thacher ^^ 

Thomas 30, 32. 

42, 43. 45. 47. 50 

Tom 47 

Unice 36 

W— 35 

(Wid.) 35, 43 

WiHiam 7 

Cobb 

Ckvc 31 

Huldah 28 

(x)lcwell 
Qoe 32 

Comey 

Abigail It) 

Jerusha '3 

John 13, 19 

Oliver 14 

Mr 14. J7 

Spencer ' 7 

Coney [Cony] 

Abigail n, 12 

Ann 22 

( - ) (Curtis) 35 

Daniel 24, 33, 53 

David 17. 18 

Edw 33 

Eleanor 44 

Elijah 26 

Elisabeth ... 10, 28, 29 

Ellenor 21 

Ellis 26 



Eunice 22 

lo 37 

J 22, 28 

Jacob 12, 15 

Jeremiah 37 

Jo 30, 32 

Joh 47 

John II, 20, 

21, 26, 33, SI 

Joseph 8, 35, 41 

Kesia (Holmes) ....20 

Mary 15 

Mary (Clark) 24 

Mehitable 12, 37 

Molle 18 

Nancy Bass 3 s 

Nat 9, 10, 34, 36 

Nath 24 

Nathall 6, 7, 12 

Nathan 10, 11 

Nathaniell 5, 32 

Oliver 10, 30 

Priscilla 9, 19 

Rebeccah 19 

Rebeccah (Guild) ...5 

Ruth 39 

Samuel 5-7, 

9, 11-13, 15, 17, 18 

Sarah 11, 20 

Sarah (Savell) S 

Susannah 13 

Susannah (Comings) 47 
.Susannah (Curtis) .. 

33. S3 

Tliomas 7, 9, 50 

(Widow) 50 

W. . . 10, II, 19, 24, 26 

Wille 18 

William 11, 18 

Cook 

Esther (Indicot) ...34 
Jacob 32, 34 

(Toolledge 

Mary ■ 6 

Copeland 

Mary 24 

Mrs 3- 

Copp 

Patience 15 

Rachel 12 

Corey 

Nat 32 

Cory 

Cloe (Colewe!!) ... 32 
Joshua 32 

CoviM 

T-ydia 7 

Priscella 7 

Rebeccah 9 

Cumings [Coming. Com- 
ings, Cuming, Cumins, 
Cummings] 

Betsey 39 

Cloe 34 

Cloe (Forrest) 27 

Elisabeth 14, 34 

Elisabeth (White) . .32 

Hitte 46 

Isaac 5 

Jo 40, 44. 51 

56 



• John 12, 34 

Jos. ., 45 

Josh 50 

Joseph 14, 44, 46 

Mary 6, 23 

Mehitabel (Esty) .. .40 

Mehitable 45 

Mr 41 

Nabbce 37 

Nat 27, 29, 

34. 37. 39. 42 

Nathaniel 5, 32 

Noah s 

Oliver 44 

On IS 

Otis SI 

Police 42 

Rebecca 8, 20, 25 

Rebeccah (Coney) ..19 

Richard to 

Ruth 16 

.Sallee 45 

Saml 5, 6, 8, 

10, 12, 14, IS, 18 

Solomon 19 

Susannah ...19, 41, 47 

Curtis 

Alford 48 

Calvin 19, so, S3 

Charles S 3 

Edward is, 53 

Elisabeth 27, 53 

Elisabeth (Curtis) .. 

27, S3 
Eliza (Bass) ....11, 52 

Elizabeth S2, S3 

Elizabeth (Randall) 53 
Francis ..25, 49, 50, S3 

Frank so 

Hannah ... .8, 34-36 

52, S3 
Hannah ((jore) ....52 

Henry Bass 31 

Mary . ..11, 31, 52, 53 

Mary (Billing) 49 

Mrs II 

Nabby 51 

Nancy 41 

Nat 27, S3 

Nathaniel 31 

Obadiah 47, so 

Oliver 14, 53 

Philip . .3, 4, II, 13, 
42-44, 46-48, 50-53 

Rev. Mr 51-53 

Samuel 6-8, 52 

Susannah .... 11, 33, 

36. 52. 53 

Thomas 44 

WiHard 46 

Dean 

Abigail (Harlow) ..43 

Benja 9 

Mary (Witherton) ...9 
William 43 

Deberick 
Mr 17 

Deveruk 

Mr 4 



Dickerman 

Ebenezer 7 

Lydia (Gould) 7 

Drake (Drak] 

Abiel 28, 35 

Andrew 21 

Archippus 12 

Benjn. 9 

Charity (liewit) ...28 

Cyrus 44 

Elias 41 

Esther 49 

Eunice 44 

Hannah (Tisdal) ...30 

lo 3-2 

Jane 49 

Jeremiah 49 

Joanna 13 

John 9, 10, 12, 

13. 1". 21, 30 

Keziah 5° 

Lucy 49 

Mary 7, 10, 28 

Mehjtable (McMul- 

len) 44 

Melzar 50 

Melzur 49 

Nathan 49 

Mrs. ., 23 

Oliver 37 

Polly (Harlow) 4s 

Ruth 37 

Ruth (Drake) 37 

Sarah 17 

Susannah (Harlow) 40 

W— 8, 40 

Wm 7, 13 

Zalpha 17 

Ziph. [Zilpha] 35 

Dunbar 

Esther (Boydcn) ...22 
John 22 

Eaton 

Jabez 43 

Mary (Hixson) ....42 
Mr 44 

Edee 

Elias 40 

Mary (Savcl) 40 

Ellis 

Joseph 40 

Phyle (Boyden) 40 

Esty [Estey] 

Aaron 29 

Abigail (Gould) 19 

Bathsheba 8, 34 

Benjamin ..5, 10-12, 

14. 17 

Dn 39 

E 5. 6 

Ebenezer ....10, 20, 

26, 32. 35. 42. 43 

Elijah 42 

Elisabeth 20, 21, 45 

Hannah 36, 49 

Hannah (Belcher) ..47 
Hannah (Leonard) .26 

Jacob 12, 14-16, 

18, 19. 2*. =7. 34- 46 
Jeremiah 3 ' 



Jo 36 

Joanna 11, 28 

Job 17, 39, 42. 43 

John 19, 20, 

2'. 31. 39. 42 
Jonnah (Amsbury) .11 

Keziah 9 

Lem 49, 50 

Lemuel 47, 51 

I-ovana 34 

Lucy 36 

Lucy (Fuller) 32 

Lydia 5, 30 

Marg. 26 

Mary 6, 22, 27 

Mehitable 19, 40 

Meredith 29 

Meredith (Leonard) 29 

Mrs 10 

Nancy 27 

Olive 49 

Oliver 16 

Patience J 2, 35 

Pelatiah 9, 12, 13 

Rebecca 37 

Ruth 42, 43 

Ruth (Coney) 39 

Ruthee 42 

S 27 

Samuel 12, 18, 

22, 36, 37 
Solomon . . 3, 26-29, 34 

Unity 14, 38, 39 

(Widow) ii 

Evens 

Amey (Payson) ....23 
Joseph 23 

Everet [Everett, Everit] 

Aaron 40 

Abigail 17 

Betsy 48 

Catherine 5, 21 

Deacon 48 

Edward .36, 39, 48, 49 

Elis 38 

Elisabeth .8, 22, 27, 44 

(Ens.) 38 

Hannah ... 12,17, 30, 48 

Jasan 28 

Jh 5 

Jo 28 

John 17. '8, 

20, 22, 25. 20 

Joh 6 

Joseph ... .8, 9, 31, 45 

Leonard 48 

Mary 36, 38 

Moses 38 

(Mrs.) 20 

Nabby 48 

33 

Oliver 30, 3^> 

33, 38. 40, 41. 44. 45 

Susannah 20, 41 

Susannah (Capcn) ..30 
Widow 43 

Everson 

Anna 39 

Evt. 

Isabel (Hodges) ...30 

57 



Jo 3" 

Fairbanks [ Farebanks, 
Fairbank] 

Abigail 49 

Benjamin 22, 

23, 30, 48 
Jeremiah . . .23, 48, 51 

Mr 32, 36 

Mrs 23 

Sarah 33 

Sophia 48 

Unity 51 

i'arrington 

Phebe )8 

Felch 

Isaac 43 

Mr 46 

Rachel (Brown) ....43 

Fergusson 

George 31, S3 

Mary (Curtis) . .31, 53 

Field 

Janios t8, 22 

Mary (Wood Cock) 22 

Fisher 

— 34, 46 

Aaron 19, 45 

D— 31-33 

David 19. 39 

Ebenr so 

Elijah 44 

Elisabeth 28 

Elisabeth (Brooks) .48 
Elisabeth (Esty) ...45 
Experience (Black- 
man) 35 

Ezekiel 35 

Ezra 26 

Hannah (Baker) ...20 
Hannah (Hewins) ..42 

Jacob 28-30, 46-48 

I^ewis 5' 

Lucy 21, 47 

Lucey (Ballard) ...42 

Mary 19. 3'. 

33. 39. 40. 44 
Mehitable (Hewins) 39 

Moses 19 

Nancy (Morse) ....50 

Nat 20 

Oliver 35 

Polly (Randal) 51 

Rebeccah So 

Sarah (Hodges) 30 

Seth 42 

Susannah (Hixson) 44 

Thos 19. 21, 

26, 35. 42 

Forrest 

Abigail (Morse) 31 

Cloe 27 

David 3« 

Esther (Nichols) ...13 

George '3 

John 18 

Susannah (Perry) ..18 

French 

Asa 29 

Bathsheba 46 

Bathsheba (Esty) ...34 



Ed 39 

Jacob 34 

Judith (BuUard) ...39 

Frost 

Samll 34 

Sarah (Rhodes) ....34 

Fuller 

Abigail 33 

Adam 40 

Barzillai 47 

Betsey (Tisdall) ...47 

Daniel 29 

(Dau.) (Drake) 50 

(Deacon) . .6, 7, 23, 28 

Deborah 7, 28 

Ebenr 25, 48 

Esther (Johnson ...48 

Experience 16 

Hannah 6, 8, 27 

Jeremiah 23, 49 

L 29, 50 

Lemuel ..6, 23-25 27- 

29. 33-35. 39. 40 

Levi 35 

Louis 39 

Lucy 32 

Mary 21 

Mary (Savage) 24 

(Mr.) 5 

Rebeccah 5, 19 

Ruth 30 

Ruth (Tisdall) 24 

Seth 8 

(Widow) 29 

Gannet [Gannett, Gannit] 
Anna (Everson) ...39 
Benjamin .. . . 1 1, 12, 
14, 16, 21, 24, 39 

(Capt.) 40 

Deborah (Sampson) 14 

Hannah 11, 24 

Jonathan 19 

Jonn 35 

Joseph 16 

Mary 21, 39 

Mary (CopelanJ) ..24 

Mr 14. 27 

Mrs 38 

Warren 33, 35, 40 

Gay 

— 22 

Abigail 20, 21, 43 

Betsie 40 

David 25, 33 

Hannah 38 

Jason 27 

Jeremiah 28 

Joell 23 

Lois 39 

Louis 20 

Luther 34 

Mary (Esty) 22 

Mr 20 

S 28 

Seth 42 

Sol 23, 2S. 

27. 33- 34. 36, 
38, 40, 42, 48 
Timothy 36 



Gilbert [Gilbirt] 

( — ) 28 

Aaron 28, 43 

Daniel 41 

Delight 27 

Ebenr 16 

Frank 48 

John 6, 47 

Levi so 

Lucy 35, 45 

Lydia 14, 17, 18 

Marcy 42 

Massah 13 

Moses 28, 43 

Mr 20 

Mrs 13 

Nancy 42 

Ruth 22 

S 27 

Solomon 14-18, 

22, 36, 39-45. 
47, 48, so, SI 

Gil! 

Col 22 

Glover 

Elijah 51 

Lois 42 

Sukee 46 

Thomas 41, 42, 

46. 47. 51 
Unice 41 

Crore 

Hannah 33, S- 

Hannah (Richards) .30 
Jer 30, 33 

Gould 

Abigail 19 

Anna 7, 8 

Daniell 30 

Elisabeth (Kollock) 47 

Ezra 13, 38, 

44, 47. 48. so 

Hannah 47 

Hannah (Hixson) ..30 

Jacob 21 

Jeremiah 6, 8, 

9. II. 13. 17 
Jesture [Chester! ...48 

Jh 5 

Joh [ ] 5 

Keziah 5, 20, 41 

Lois 26, 27, 48 

Lois (Smith) 38 

Louis t 6 

Lucee 26 

Luke 47 

Lydia 7 

Mary 6 

Mr 15 

Nancy 47 

Nathaniel 47 

Priscilla 11 

Samll 6 

Seth 17 

Soloman 32 

Thomas 6 

Unity (Holmes) ....21 

William 6 

Zeppurah i ^ 

58 



Gridley 

Richard 24 

Guild 

Aaron 11 

Abnah 15 

Ann (Rhods) 34 

Charles 32 

(jcorge 19 

Levt 22 

Lois 13 

Luce 18 

Moses 13-16, 

18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 28 

Mr 13 

Natl 22, 25, 34 

Rebeccah s 

Samuel 16 

Sarah 8 

Sarah (Coney) 11 

Susannah 22 

William 26 

Guile 

Elisabeth 37 

Haden 

Molley 45 

Hancock 

Dorothy (Quincy) ..24 
John 24 

Harlow 

Abigail 7. 43 

Abigail (Hobbs) 6 

Asa 39. 48 

Benjamin ...6, 7, 9, 47 

Ebenezer 44 

Elisabeth (Rhodes) .39 

Hannah 6, 23 

Mary (Johnson) ....44 

Mat 43 

Matthew 48 

Mr 19 

Mrs II 

Po'lly 41 

Ruth 32 

Ruth (Brown) 47 

Susannah 40 

(Widow) so, 51 

Harris 

Lydia (Covill) 7 

Nicholas 7 

Hawse [Haws, Howse] 

Abigail 30 

Abigail (Everet) ...17 

Amey 7 

Amey (Morgan) 5 

Ann 12 

Benjamin ... .6, 31, 32 

Cloe «8 

Ebenezer 38 

Eleazar 12 

Elijah 17-19. 26 

Elisabeth 7 

Elisabeth (Hewins) .21 

Hannah S 

Jacob 21, 23, 

24, 26, 38 

Jo 31 

Johannah 10 

John 5. 7. 9 

Jonathan 10, 33 

Joseph 6, 7 



Lucy (Tour) (Towcrl 

3,? 

Louis 26 

Mary (Gannett) 39 

Mary (Sumner) ....32 

Nathaniel! 5 

Obadiali 5, 10 

Patience 32 

Sarah 7, 24 

Silence 26, 27 

Susannah 9 

Stephen 5-7, g, 

10, 12-14, 28. 31, 39 
Tabitha (Richardson) 

10 

(Widow) .14, 26, 27, 39 

William i_' 

Hcwins [Hewens, Hew- 

ings] 

Abigail 34 

Abigail (Hawes) ...30 

Amasa 25, 46 

Ann 33 

Anna 49, 51 

Anna (Rhodes) ....29 

Benjamin 7-9. 

14, 17. 24, 29, 32 

Catherine 19 

Clifford 31 

D. 49 

Damaris 9 

Damaris (Bird) 9 

David 24 

Deborah 46 

Dn 39 

Dr 19-22, 25, 35 

E 5. 22, 26 

Ebenezer ... 6, 7, 9, 

II, 18, 20, 25, 29, 35 

Edwa [torn] 6 

(Elder) 13 

Elijah 7, 30 

Elkanah 30 

En 27 

Enoch 23, 33 

37, 40, 42, 45, 47 

Ens 30 

(Esq.) 29 

Esther (Kollock) ...46 

Experience 17 

Frances 43 

Hannah 5, 14, 

22, 23, 34, 42 
Hannah (Kingsbury) 

47 

Hittee 37 

Increase 50 

J 33 

Ja 3 1 

Jacob . . .9, 10, 12-14, 
16, 19, 30, 32, 
34. 36, 38. 39. 44 

James 36, 39 

Jo — 37. 39. 41. 46 

John 16, 40 

Jos 33 

Joseph 6, 19, 

33- 34. 43 

Josli 36. 39 

Lucy 37. 46 



Marcy 26 

Mary ...10:21, 22, 26 

Massa 46 

Mehitable ... 10, 14, 

18. 39. 43 

Mrs 29 

(Mrs.) [Fuller] 29 

Nathan 38 

I'hilip 33 

Rebeccah 25, 46 

Ruth 9, 25, 40 

Ruth (.\rmstrong) .39 
Ruth (Cumin.Ks) ...16 

Ruth (Hewins) 40 

Saml 25, 41, 48 

Sarah 9, 13, 20, 

^ 23, 27, 28, 35, 38, 39 

Sarah (Bacon) 7 

Sarah (Hewins) ....23 
Sarah (Toleman) ...50 

Save] 35 

Seth 30 

Susannah 20, 42 

Thomas 41 

W — 16, 23. 25, 30 

Whiting 45 

(Widow) 13 

William 25 

Zibble 40 

He wit 

Charity 28 

Hill 

Bettee 43 

Dn 47 

Ebenr 40 

Etheridge 42 

Joses .■,!, 33, 

34, 42-44 

Mary 44 

Mary (Clnrk) 34 

Mrs 38 

Hiller 

Ebenr 10 

Stephen 10 

Hixs [Hi.xsn, Hixson] 
Abigl. (Rogers) ... .31 

Cate 25 

Cloe 25 

Cor 26 

Elij 26 

Elisabeth 13 

Elkanah ....23, 25, 31 

Eunice 25 

Hannah ....ii, 25. 30 
Hannah (Harlow) ..23 
Hannah (Hewins) ..23 

Jacob 10 

Jeremi 16 

John 6-S, 10, 

II, 13, 14, 16, 19, 23 

Joseph 14 

Lemuel 25 

Lieut 33. 35 

Lucee 25 

Mary 8, 43, 49 

Mary (Stickncy) ...24 

Mehitable 8, 13 

Olive 19, 43 

Richard 7, 24 

59 



4iamuel ...33, 25, 27, 

3«. 34. 36 

Sarah (Bird) 6 

Susannah 44 

Unice 31 

Unity 48 

(Widow) 26 

Zilpah 25, 49 

Zube 26 

Hobbs 

Abigail 6 

Matthew 9 

Mr 19 

Widow 41 

Hodges 

Anna 46 

Benjin 46, 48 

Isabel 30 

James 48 

Josiah 6 

Mary (CooUedge) ...6 

Mr 51 

Sarah 30 

Hoi. 

Benjn 37 

Zeb 27 

Holland [Hollans, Hol- 
lons] 

Huldah 13 

Mary 14 

Massa 15 

Nathall 7 

.Sarah 11 

Sarah (Stone) 6 

Stephen 6, 7, 

"IS. 23 
(Widow) 38 

Holmes [Holms, Holes, 
Homs] 

Abigail 17, 18 

Abigail (Savel) ....15 

Amos 31, 49 

Ann 14 

Anna 42 

Benjamin 6, 12 

Dana 38 

David 41 

Ebenr 45, Si 

Edward 38 

Elijah 20 

Elisabeth 36, 46 

Ellis 42 

Enoch 21 

Esther 41 

George 39 

Hannah ..17,40,49-51 
Hannah (Morse) ...46 
Hannah (Smith) ...ii 

Jacob 30 

Jeremiah 33 

Jesse 23 

John 10, 17, 19, 

21, 27, 29. 30. 32f 
33. 34. 38, 41. 42 

Keziah 17, 19, 20 

Lieut 14 

Lucy 44 

Mary 11, 28 

Mehitable 29 

Mehitable (Hewins) 10 



Nabbee a~ 

Nat 9, 12, >4 

Nathaniel 6, 8, 

II, IS, 17, 45 

Olive 19, -2 1 

Oliver 28, 49 

Otis 49 

Rachel (Alku) 30 

Rachel (Toinpson) ..40 

Ruthe 5 ! 

Sabel (Smith) .16 

Samuel . . . 19-22, 26, 
28, 31, 38, 42. 
43. 46, 49-5' 

Sarah 8, 33 

Sibble 4- 

Stephen is 

Susannah 22, 26 

Susannah (Ciimings) 

10 

Susannali (Hcwins) 43 

Umty 21 

W— 36, 4-- 

[Widow] (Tildcn) ..38 

Z 19 

Zebulon 15. 18, 

20, 21, 23. 28, 30, 
3i, 36. 3S. 40. 41 
Zibble 41 

Hooper 

Rachel 40 

Howard 

Joshua 33 

PrisciJla (Capcn) ...33 
Silence 5' 

Hubbard 

Priscilla 37 

Ide 

Benjn 4- 

Mary (KoUock) ....42 

Indicott 

Esther 34 

Ingraham 

— 43 

Abigail (Rhods) 23 

Benjn 23 

Jo 21, 43 

Joseph 16 

Judith 16, 17 

Mrs ) 7 

Ingram 

Judith 17 

Mary 20 

Jackson 

Joseph 24 

Johnson 

Abigail 22 

Ansel 47 

Benjamin 7, 14. 

IS. 4', SO 

Caleb 0, 10, 

29, 30. 45. 48 

Capt 17 

Chanloue (Morse) ..41 

Daniel 24 

David 22, 48 

Djna 25 

Edmund 33 

Eli (Fribble) 3° 



Elijah 38, 39, 

43. 44, 46, 47 
Elisabeth (Pribble) .29 

Esther 28, 48 

Hannah . 14, 15. 27, 38 
Hannah (Johnson) .38 

Hezekiah 29 

Isaac 14, 15, 18, 

19, 24, 26, 27, 43. 46 

J ^8 

Jacob 18, 19, 

22, 29, 34, 34 

Jerusha (Buck 48 

Jo 29 

Job 23 

John 13, 15, 17. 

19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 33 

Josa 7 

Joshua S, 10, 

15. 38, 45, 51 

Josiah 19 

Jossee 43 

Judith 10, 43 

Judith (Tuckir) o 

Lucy (Holmes) ....44 

Lydia 17. 4- 

Marcus 4^ 

Mary . . .21, 23, 24, 44 

Massali 29, 45 

Matthias 26 

Mrs 43 

C^bed 18, 44, 50 

Olive (Hixson) ....43 

Oliver 18 

Rebccah 7 

Ruth 14. 48 

Sarah 27, 38 

Sarah (Swift) 13 

Sophia 44 

Unity 43 

Unity a-sty) ...38, 39 
(VVid.) 33 

Jordan 

— 39 

J S 

John 5. ti 

Mary 6 

Kcitii 

Ezekie! 28 

Mary 46 

Mary (Drake) 28 

King 

N.-it -7 

Zibble ^7 

Kingman 

Eunice 33 - 

(Wd.) 35 

Kingsbury 

Hannah ... .21, 23, 47 

Mrs 46 

Nat 20, 23, 31 

Oliver 20 

Sible so 

Kollock 

Abigail 50 

Abigail (Fairb^nk.,) 40 

Cxirnelius 13 

Ebenezer ' ' 

Elisabeth 22, 47 

Esther 25. 46 

60 



Hannah 29 

iMary J2, 16, 43 

Mary (Randall) 11 

Mrs 27, 28 

R 25 

Roy 29 

RoyaM 11, 13, 

16, 1 8, 20, 32 

Sarah 27 

Thomas 20, 49-5 1 

Zebiah 46 

Zeruiah 18 

Leonard 

Anna 45 

Anna (Richards) ...37 

George 51 

Hannah 9, 26 

Hittee 45, 5> 

Jacob 23, 32 

Jessce 49 

John 45 

Lewis 46 

Mehctable 38 

Meredith 29 

Molly (Billings) ....23 

Nat 49 

Solomon 9 

Sukey 48 

Susannali (Savel) ..49 

Unice 45 

Uriah 9 

W 48 

William 45 

Wolly 37, 45, 46, 49. 51 

Lewis 

Aaron 20 

Abigarl 3 ' 

Abigail (Swift) 31 

.Asa 32 

Benjamin 18 

Hittee [HeltceJ .35, 38 

Mary (White) 3~ 

Mr 35 

Sarah 32 

Sarah (White) 29 

W— 3". 35. 38 

Widow 18 

William 33, 36 

Lovel [Lovell, Lovill] 

Cyrus 44 

Ebenezer 14, 35, 42, 44 

Joseph 12 

Mary 10, 11, 44 

Mary (Smith) 17 

Saml. ... 10, 12, 14, 17 

(Widow) 44 

Zilphe 44. 45. 48 

Ziph. [Zilpha] 

(Drake) 35 

Lovett 

Mary (Hewins) .... 10 
Samuel 10 

Lyon [Lyons] 

Aranna 3' 

Jerre 46 

Lemuel 10. 29. 3^ 

Lydia 30 

Lydia (Perry) 10 

Marrineda 29 

Marv 25 



Mary (Richards) ...46 
Rachel (Hixjper) . . .40 
Silciiey [Celenia] ...31 

Waitstill ct. 

Zebinc 40 

McFaden 
Grace 15 

McMuUen 

Mchitable 44 

Mackintosh 

Sarah in 

Man 

Anna (Randal ) 15 

David 15 

Joseph 40 

Mehitable ( liillings) 40 

Manley 

Experience (Swift) 16 
Thomas 1 C> 

Maresquells (Mares- 
quette] 

Louis de 37 

Marie Louis Armand 

Ansart de — 37 

Polly (Wimble) 37 

Marsh 

Ezra 22 

Susannah (Ouild) ..2_' 

Maishall 

Phebe (Wolman) ...19 
\V 19 

Maxlield [Maxwell] 

T!ioni()son 43 

Tudilh (Johnson) ...43 
Mr 46 

May 

Eleazc-r 5 

Esther (VVadsworth) 3 

Montelurbert 

Marquis of 37 

Morey 

[ ]t .9 

Morgan 

Ainey 5 

Margaret 6 

Morse 



Abigail 31, 44 

Abner 37 

Charlotte 21, 41 

DH ID 

Deliverance 2 c 

Dority (Wood) 25 

Eliphalet 42 

Elisha TO 

Esrom 21 

Ezra 35, 38, 41, 44 

G- 27, 30 

Gilead 23, 25, 

33. 35. 37. 39. 42. 44 

Gill 2t 

Hannah . . . . t2, 21, 46 

Hartford 44 

Huldah 31 

Irine 33 

Javin 22 

Jo 22, 30, 32, 34 

Johannah (Rogers) 10 

John 25, 47 

Joseph Ji, 25, 40 



Josiah 1 6, 22, 25 

Ki7.ia (Turner) ....10 

Lewis 30, 35 

Louis 22 

Ix)uis [Lois] 4 J 

Lucee 22 

Lucy 47 

Lucy (Fisher) 47 

Luther 30, 30 

Major 41 

Marcy (Gilbert) . . .4:. 
Mary (Fisher) ... .44 

Mrs 38 

Nancy 25, 50 

Nathaniel .... 15, 19, 

31, 22, 25, 27, so 
Rebeccali (Fisher) ..50 

Sarah 30 

Silas 20, 21 

Susannah 37. 41 

Susannah ( liacon) ..15 

Tim 15 

Urbane 27 

•N'ason 

Jcmina (Clark) ....19 
Mary (Cainpernall) ..9 

Sarah 15 

Thomas 9, 19 

N'ewland 

David 31 

iluldah (Morse) ...31 

Xichols 

Esther 13 

.\'ock 

Mrs 46 

Noise [Noys] 

Ester 31 

John 5 

Jn 5 

Mr 18 

Mrs 41 

Sarah 17 

(Widow) 22 

Oliver 

Abigail (Puffer) ...37 

Iluldah 23, 24 

Huldah (Rhodes) ..18 

John 18, 24 

Mary 23 

Russel 37 

Susannah 23 

Ormsbey [Ormsby] 

Jane (Ripley) 24 

Mr 27 

W 24 

Osyer 

Consider 22 

Deliverance (Rhoads) 
22 

Paine [Pain] 

Anna (Richards) ...41 

James 41 

Lemuel 31 

Mary 33 

[Rachel Carpenter] 31 

Patten 

Mary 18 

Sarah 22 

Payson 

.-Xmasa 41 

61 



Amey 23 

Anna 10 

Asa 8 

Benjn. Esly 39 

Cloc 27, 46 

E 8, 10. 29 

Elisabeth 38 

Ephraim ..5-7, 11-13, 
15. 18, 30, 34, 
36. 39, 41. 47, 48 

flenry 5, 23, 

25. 27, 28 

John 19 

Joseph 27 

Judith 13. 16, 21 

Lydia (Esty) 30 

Margaret 13, 34 

Margaret (Morgan) 6 

Mary 7, 11, 

25, 38, 48 
Mary (Johnson) ...33 

Meletiah 23 

Mr iS 

Mrs 25, 26 

Noise 36 

Patience 23 

Polly SI 

Rhalf 29 

Samuel ... is, 17-19, 
21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 36 

Sarah 7, 8, 18, 21 

Sarah (Noys) 17 

Silence 28 

Susannah 16, 18 

Unice 25 

W 28 

(Wid.) 5. 

Perry 

Lydia so 

Susannah 18 

Pettingal 
Hannah 12 

Phillips 

Jane 10 

John ... .5, 7, 8, 10, II 

Mary S 

Mary (P.lancher) 7 

Peirce [Pierce] 

Angelot (Clark) ....14 

Ezekiel 12, 15, 

16, 18, 19 

Mrs 12 

Patience (Copp) ...15 
Phebe (Farrington) 18 

Rachel (Copp) 12 

Seth 14 

Pitcher 

Cloe 32 

Pitte 

Benjamin 12 

Hannah (Morse) ...12 

Pitten or Fitter 

Rebeccah (Covill) ...9 
Wm 9 

Porter 
Hannah (Curtis) . . . 

34. 35, 53 

James 34, 53 

Peter 35 



Pownal 

Thos 37 

Prat 

Sarah 34 

Pribble [Prible] 

Abraham g 

Eli 30 

Elisabeth 29 

Elisabeth (Roads) ...9 

Ephrm 31 

Sileney [Celenia] 

(Lyon) 31 

Price 

Mr 28 

Nancy 23 

Susannah 23, 26 

Susannah (Capen) ..23 

W 23, 26 

Wi 23 

Puffer 

Abigail 8, 34, 37 

Bathsheba (French) 46 

Benjamin 12, 36 

Eleazer 8 

Isaac 10 

John 23 

Mary S 

Matthias ...5-8, 10, 12, 
21, 23, 24- 37. 45. 46 

Meletiah 24 

Mrs 34 

Nancy (Whitney) ..36 

Olive 23 

Olive (Bo[den]) ...21 
Priscilla (Hubbard) 37 

Rebeccah 6, 31 

Quincy 

Dorothy 24 

Edmund 24, 39 

Elizabeth (Wendell) 24 
Hannah (Gannet) ..24 

Mr 27 

Randall [Randal, Ran- 
dell] 
Ammi Ruhamah ....28 

Anna 15 

Benjamin ....6, 41, 43 

Bess 35 

Elisabeth . .7, 12, 30, 53 
Elisabeth (Everett) 27 

Esther 27, 37 

Frances 33 

J 28 

Jo 30. 33, 

35. 37, 39 

John 27, 51 

Jos 27 

Joseph s, 42, 43 

Josh 39 

Mary it 

Mr 35 

Patty (Wares) 41 

Polly 27, SI 

Prudee (Clark) ....51 
Samuel ...8, 27, 28, 35 

Thomas 5, 6, 

8, 40, 42 

Unity (Swift) 28 

(Widow) 26 

William 28 



Raynolds [See Rynolds] 

Benj 25 

Catharine 25 

Mr 25 

Reupeke [Rapkey, Re- 
puchee, Repueke, 
Reupke] 

Betsey 42 

Bettee 42 

( — ) (Clark) 40 

Hannah 43 

John 42, 43 

John Christian ....40 

Mr 40 

Sallee 40 

Rhodes [Rhoads, Rhod, 
Roads, Rhods] 

Abigail 17, 23 

[ ]m 17 

Adam 17 

Ann 34 

Anna 29 

Anna ((jould) 7 

Asa 19 

Benjamin 7 

Danll 34 

David 35 

Deliverance 22 

Drucilla 22 

Elisabeth ..9, 17, 35, 39 
Elisabeth (Rhodes) 35 

Huldah 18 

Jeremiah 37 

Jo 32 

Job 17 

John 17, 33, 45 

Jos 33 

Joseph 7, 19, 22 

Joshua 17 

Lydia 34 

Lydia (Rhodes) ....34 

Mary 39 

Mehitable 35 

Mehitable (Coney) .37 
Molley (Haden) ...45 

(Mrs.) (Thorp) 9 

Samll 9, 17 

Sarah 34 

Sarah (Barns) 7 

Sarah (Thorp) 30 

W— 30 

Rich 

Dll 30 

Jacob 30 

Oliver 29 

W 29 

Richards [Richard] 

Aaron 35 

Achsa 48 

Ann 16 

Ann (Coney) 22 

Anna . ..14. 35. 37, 41 
Benjamin ..20-22,24, 
28, 32, 33, 35. 27, 
39, 41, 48, 51, 52 

Bernice 33 

Betsey 41, 47 

Daniel 5-7, 9, 

12, 14, 22-25, 31. 

32, 34. 38, 41. 44. 46 
62 



David 15, 41 

Ebenezer 6, 35, 

36, 38, 41, 44 
Edward ....23, 24, 34 

Elijah 15, 32, 38 

Elisabeth ...20, 22, 45 

Francis 49 

Hannah ...7, 9, 30, 45 

Jabez 25, 48 

Jeremiah ... 5, 8, 12, 

18, 32, 41-43. 45.47-49 

Joel 39, 44 

John 5, 8, 21, 44 

Joseph 47 

Katee 41 

Levi 35 

Luke 28, 46 

Luther 30 

Mary . . .15, 21, 45, 46 
Mary (Belcher) ....20 

Mary (Bird) 44 

Moses 35 

Mrs 43 

Nabbee 36 

Nancy 31, 41 

Noah 6, 8 

On (Cumings) 15 

Patience (Hawse) ..32 

Polly 42, 51 

Prudee 35 

Ruthe (Billings) ...51 

Sallee 41 

Sarah 18, 23, 43 

Solomon 36 

Susannah ...25, 48, 49 
W— 15, 16, 18, 

19, 21, 23, 25, 30, 36 
William ... 5, 6, 19, 51 
Zibiah 43 

Richardson 

Amos 35 

Dorothy (Vining) ..30 

Jason 37 

John 30 

Lovis (Smith) 37 

Mehitable (Rhodes) 35 
Tabitha 10 

Ring 

Annis 48 

Ripley 

Jane 24 

Robins 

Ebenezer 7 

Elizabeth (Savel) ..17 

Ensign 17 

Margaret 16 

PrisceUa (Covill) ...7 
Zekill 5 

Robinson 

Colonel 15 

Rogers 

Abigl 31 

[Elisabeth] Hannah 38 

Johannah 10 

Olive 37 

(Widow) II 

Ruso 

Mr 20 



Mrs 26 

Rynolds [See Raynolds] 

Benj 48 

Catherine 49 

Hannah (Everet) ..48 
Sampson 

Deborah 14 

Savage 

Cloe (Cobb) 31 

James 38 

Jesse 16 

Mary 24 

Mr 12, 35 

Nathan 12, 37, 38 

W— 16, 31 

Savcl [Savell, Savil] 

Abigail 15 

Anna (Hewins) . . . .49 

B 29 

Benjamin .14, 16, 18, 
19, 21, 25, 27, 30, 43 

Dn 28, 32 

Ed. 25 

Ed. Bridge 15, 19 

Edward 17, 21 

Elisabeth 17, 25 

Hannah 14 

Jerusha 27 

John 21, 49 

Joseph 29 

Mary ... .6, 17, 21, 40 
Mary (Richards) ...15 

Ned 27 

Olive 19 

Oliver 18 

Sally 47 

Sarah 8, 16 

Susannah 25, 49 

Unice 27 

William 15 

Scipio 

^— 46 

Shepherd [.Shcphard] 
Betsey (Richardb) ..47 

Oliver 50 

Mrs SO 

Susannah (Baker) .50 

Thos 47 

Smith 

Ame (Withingtoii) .40 

Dr 45 

Ellis 50 

Ephraim 40 

Ezra 27 

Hannah 5, 11 

Hepzibah (Clap) ...40 

Irena 50 

Is 51 

Iscll 50 

Israel 18, 20, 

23. iZ, 36, 45 

Jacob 36 

Jane 50 

Joel 23 

John .. .5, 6, 32, 23, 27 

Joseph 31 

Levi 20, 50 

LiflFe 40 

Lois 3S 

Lovis 37 



Mary 17, 34, 35 

Molley 51 

Nabby ^:^ 

Priscilla 40 

Rebecca 34 

Rebeccah (Puffer) ..31 

[Sabel] 36 

Samll 8 

(Widow) 33 

Wll 9 

ZibWe 50 

Zippcrow (Bullard) .45 

Zipporah 50 

Spooner 

Walter 37 

Stacey 

Elisth (Woods) 13 

Saml 13 

Stearns 

Abigail 12 

Ebenezer ....5-7, 9, 12 

Joshua 9 

Mary 6 

Mr 26 

Sarah 9 

Stickney 

Mary 24 

Stone 

Sarah 6, 8 

Sumner 

Elisabeth 13 

Hannah 13, 22 

Hepzibah 14 

J 22 

Jesse 19 

John 13, 14, 

18, 19, 26 

Mary 32 

Roger 26 

Sarah 26 

William 13 

Swift 

Abigail 31 

Amos 37 

Anna (Hewins) ....51 

Asa 44 

Azuba 33 

Charity 10, 12 

Cypha 28 

Damaris 36 

David 43 

Eben 36 

Elisabeth (C.uile) ...37 

Elisabeth 47 

Experience 16 

Jereh 47 

Jirah . .8, 26, 28-30, zi 

Jo 29 

Job 5, 6, 8, 

10-12, 25, 28-30, 
37, 38, 41. 43-45. 47 

John 41 

Jos 34 

Joseph 47 

Joshua 6, 26- 

34. 36, 38, 4« 
Mary (Hewins) ....26 

Patience 5, 41 

Philip 12, 38 

Rebeccah jo 

63 



Rebeccah (Cummins) 

„ 25 

Richard 47 

Samuel 6, 28, 51 

Sarah 13 

Susannah ...12, 16, 45 

Unity II, 28 

WaitstiM (Lyon) ....26 

(Wd.) 36 

Wiot (Wyoth) 30 

Talbot [Taulburt, Tol- 
bot] 

Betsey 47 

Catherine (Rynolds) 49 

Enoch 47, 49 

Hannali 47 

Jerusha 6 

Josiah ...ZT, 47, 49, 51 

Lucee 49 

Nathaniel 47 

Susannah 47 

Susannah (Morse) ..Z7 

Warren 51 

Thayer 

Peter 48 

Unity (Hixson) 48 

Thompson 

Saml 38, 39 

Sarah (Hewins) 38, 39 
Thomson 

Beulah (White) 43 

Luther 43 

Thorp 

(Mrs.) 9 

Sarah 30 

Thresher, [Thracher, 
Thrasher] 

Mary 51, 52 

Mary (Hixson) ....49 

Richard sr 

Zelotes 51, 52 

Tilden 

[Widow] 38 

Tisdal [Tisdale, Tis- 
dall] 

Anna 48 

Betsey 47 

Ed 32 

Hannah 30 

Lieut 42 

Ned 35 

Priscilla 31 

Ruth 23, 24 

Ruth (Harlow) 32 

Tolman [Toleman] 

[ - ] 6 

Betsey 43 

Capt 20 

Daniell 16 

Elisabeth 10, 23 

Esther 41 

Esther (Tolman) ...41 

Experience 9 

Hannah (Fuller) ....6 
Hannah (Rogers) ..38 

Isaiah 6, 8, 16 

James 38 

Jemima 29 

Jo 37 

Jo«I 49 



John 36 

Joseph 37 

Margaret (Robins) .16 

Mary S, lo, 11 

Mary (Savell) 6 

Mrs 13 

Otis 4- 

Sarah 36, 5° 

Samuel 12. 38 

Spencer 3<> 

Thos 4' 

W — 10, II, 

16, 36. 38. -13 

William 610, 

12, 13, 4-. 49 

Tomson [Tompson] 

Mary (Billings) 41 

Rachel 40 

Ralph 4f 

Tour [Tower J 

Lucy 33 

Tribou 

— 4- 

Amy (Belcher) 41 

William 41 

Tuckir 

Judith 9 

Tupper 

Abigail '6 

Anna (Capon) i- 

Anne '» 

Azuba 33 

Benjamin S 

Edward 33 

Elisabeth »<> 

Ilanh 33. 34 

John '3 

Mary 21, 22 

Mrs 25 

Patience ^3 

R 33 

Rebeccah -4 

Remember 5. ' - 

Reuben 10, 12, 

16, 22, 33 

Simeon 12-14. 16 

Thomas 8, 14. 22 

Turner 

Ester (Noise) 3' 

Kizia •" 

Joseph 3 ' 

Tuttle 

Huldah (Allin) 3^ 

Levi 32 

Vining 

Dorothy 3o 

Wadsworth 

Esther 5 

Ware [Wares] 

Molley ■»' 

Patty 'i' 

Warrin 

Wd '' 

Waters 

Saml ''3 

Sarah (Richards) ..43 

Zebnlon 48 

ZJlpha (LoveO 48 

Welman 

Phebe '^ 



Wendell 

Elizabeth 24 

Wentworth 

Hannah (Pettingal) 12 

Josiah 12 

White 

Benjamin 16, 20, 25, 36 

Beulah 25, 43 

David 6, 22, 35 

Deborah (Fuller) ..28 

Elisabeth 32 

£r 28 

John 6, 9, 13 

Jonathan o 

Jos 36 

Joseph 17, 42 

Levi 13, 42 

Louis (Morse) 22 

Lydia (Johnson) ...42 

Martha 14 

Mary i6, 32 

Mehitablc 16 

Mella (Capen) 42 

Moses 16, 38 

Saml 20 

Sarah 16, 29 

Sarali (Drake) 17 

Simeon 13 

Susannah (Allin) ...38 
Wliitney 

Mehitablc (Kacon) .18 

Nancv 3t' 

Thos." 18 

Whittemore [Whitemore, 
WhittimoreJ 

Edmund 27 

Hannah 49 

Jessee 35. 4S 

Joseph 22 

Joshua 16, 17, 

19, 22, 40, 42, 44-49 

Lois 44 

Louis [Lois] (Morse) 42 

Mr 20, 27, 35 

Mrs 16, 19, 39. 51 

Pelatiah 15 

Ruth (Johnson) 48 

Saml 17 

Sarah 40 

Sarah (ilackintosh) 

40 

Susannah ...i6, 20, 39 
Susannah (Payson) 16 

Whyton 

Comfort 15 

Grace (McFaden) ..15 

Willis 

Jerh 5 

Jonathan 10, 12 

Mary 10 

Rebecca 12 

Remember (Tupper) .5 
Solomon 26 

Wimble 

Polly 37 

Wintworth 

Leml 39 

Lydia 4' 

Susannah (Whitte- 
more) 3^ 

64 



Wither 

Elijah 27 

P 27 

Witherby 

David 3S 

Eunice (Kingman) .35 

Witherson 

Joseph 30 

Witherton 

Catee 39 

Ebenr 25, 48 

Elisabeth 24 

Esther 36 

Hannah 47, 50 

Mary 9 

Nat 49 

Newil 39 

P 23. =5. 33. 46 

Philip 33, 25, 

35. 36, 39. 47, 50 

Rebeccah 47 

Sarah 26 

W— 24. 26, 

29, 32, 34 

William 34, 49 

Zilpah (Hixson) ....49 

Withington [Witthing- 
ton, Withinton] 

Arae 40 

Elisabeth (Richards) 20 

Hannah 21 

Nathaniell 22 

P 21 

Philip 19, 20, 31 

Rebeccah 20 

Rebeccali (I'uller) ..19 

W 20, 22 

William 20, 21 

Wood [Whood] 

Abh 8 

David 38 

Deborah 5 

Dorrity 25 

Elisabeth 13 

Jo 38 

John 5 

Joseph 9, 38 

Levi 31 

Mary (Lyon) 25 

Mrs 43 

Sarah 10, 32 

W 9, 10, 13 

William 5, 45 

Zephiniah 25 

Woodcock 

Abigail 6 

Mary 22 

Nathll 9 

Woods [Whoods] 

Benjamin 8 

Elisth 13 

W 8 

Woodward 

Mary (Fuller) 21 

Noah 2 1 

Wormwell 

Mrs 38 

Write 

Mr 35 

Mrs 35 



LIBRARV 



CONGRESS 




00Q1.151'^71H 



